The Spanish La Liga has seen its fair share of Nigerian talent lighting up stadiums over the course of history. Umar Sadiq currently sits at the top of the pile as the most expensive Nigerian signing in Spain, but he’s not alone.
In this article, Footynaija.com takes a look at the top five big-money moves for Nigerian footballers and how these players fared in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.
5. Ikechukwu Uche – €5.5 million (Getafe to Real Zaragoza, 2009)
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In 2009, Uche swapped Getafe for Real Zaragoza in a €5.5 million move. Expectations were high, but his time at Zaragoza was marred by injuries. Two major knee problems kept him sidelined for long spells and made it difficult for him to string up consistent minutes.
4. Akor Adams – €5.5 million (Montpellier to Sevilla, 2025)
Adams became one of the latest Nigerian talents to make the leap to Spain when Sevilla signed him from Montpellier in January 2025 for €5.5 million. The 23-year-old striker had caught the eye in Ligue 1 after impressing for Montpellier.
Adams is still finding his feet in La Liga, having made four appearances so far. Sevilla fans will be hoping he can become the next big thing in their attack and give them a new Nigerian hero to cheer for.
3. Kenneth Omeruo – €7 million (Chelsea to Leganes, 2018)
Omeruo’s €7 million switch to Leganes in 2018 flew under the radar, but the Super Eagles defender quietly got the job done. On loan from Chelsea, Omeruo slotted seamlessly into Leganes’ defence and made 28 La Liga appearances that season.
While he didn’t score or grab headlines, his composure and defensive stability earned him plenty of respect. Leganes fans appreciated his no-nonsense style, even if his stay in Spain wasn’t long-term.
2. Finidi George – €10 million (Ajax to Real Betis, 1996)
Finidi brought Nigerian flair to Seville. Fresh off winning the Champions League with Ajax, he joined Real Betis in 1996 for €10 million and became an instant fan favourite.
In his first season, he helped Betis reach the Copa del Rey final, even scoring in the showdown against Barcelona, though Betis eventually lost 3-2.
Admired for his pace, trickery and eye for goal, Finidi left an indelible mark on Betis and remains one of the club’s most loved wingers.
1. Umar Sadiq – €20 million (UD Almeria to Real Sociedad, 2022)
When Real Sociedad splashed €20 million on Sadiq in September 2022, the towering striker arrived with plenty of hype. After scoring 22 goals to fire Almeria into La Liga and continuing that form in the top flight, Sociedad fans were buzzing to see him in their colours.
Sadiq got off to the perfect start, scoring on his debut in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. But just as he was finding his feet, disaster struck. A serious ACL injury after only three games kept him out for nearly a year.
Since returning, he’s struggled to rediscover his best form and was shipped out on loan to Valencia in 2025 where he enjoyed a decent spell.
