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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has thrown his support behind Tochukwu Nnadi following the midfielder’s high-profile move to Marseille, describing the transfer as a deserved reward for years of steady progress, footynaija.com reports.
The 22-year-old has joined the Ligue 1 heavyweights on a permanent deal from Belgian club Zulte Waregem, signing a long-term contract that will keep him at the Stade Velodrome until 2030. Marseille are understood to have paid close to €6m for the Nigeria international, underlining the club’s belief in his potential.
Welcome to Marseille, ✍️ pic.twitter.com/jIutT1zdCv
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_English) February 2, 2026
For Chelle, the switch to one of France’s most historic sides comes as no surprise. He has watched Nnadi develop closely since his breakout performances with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and believes the midfielder has always been destined for a bigger stage.
Since arriving in Europe, Nnadi has built a reputation as a dependable and disciplined presence in midfield. During his time at Zulte Waregem, he made 58 appearances across competitions, chipping in with a goal and two assists while becoming one of the team’s most consistent performers.
His progress was rewarded at international level when Chelle included him in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he made his senior debut and impressed with his maturity. Many now see him as a future successor to Wilfred Ndidi in the heart of the Super Eagles midfield.
Chelle is convinced Nnadi’s qualities suit the demands of French football perfectly.
“I thought he should have been playing in a bigger league a long time ago,” Eric Chelle told L’Equipe.
“He’s fast, strong, aggressive in winning the ball back, and can make a lot of interceptions.”
Born in Ihiagwa, Imo State, Nnadi’s journey has taken him from local football in Owerri to academies in Dubai, then spells in Bulgaria and Belgium before catching Marseille’s eye.
