Nathan Tella is a Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays as a winger for Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen and the Nigeria national team.
From the Arsenal academy to breaking through at Southampton, lighting up the Championship with Burnley, and now shining at Bayer Leverkusen, his career has been a steady climb.
In this article, Footynaija.com takes a closer look at the electric winger who is flying the Nigerian flag high in Germany’s top division.
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Biography
Nathan Adewale Temitayo Tella was born on July 5, 1999, in Lambeth, London, but grew up in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. He attended Edwinstree Middle School and Freman College in Buntingford, where he completed his GCSEs before focusing fully on football.
Tella began his football journey in the academy of Arsenal, spending a full decade with the Gunners before being released. After trials at Reading and Norwich City, he eventually joined Southampton in April 2017.
He rose through the youth ranks at the Saints and was rewarded with a professional contract extension in 2019. Tella made his Premier League debut for Southampton on 19 June 2020 in a match against Norwich City. His first Premier League goal came nearly a year later, on 15 May 2021, in a 3–1 victory over Fulham.
During his time at Southampton, he showed flashes of brilliance with his speed and dribbling but needed regular minutes to develop further. That opportunity came in the 2022–23 season when he joined Burnley on loan.
At Burnley, Tella enjoyed a breakout year in the Championship, scoring 17 league goals and helping the Clarets secure promotion back to the Premier League. He grabbed headlines with hat-tricks against Preston North End and Hull City, as he became one of the standout players in the division.
In August 2023, Tella secured a permanent move to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £20 million fee. He made his debut on 2 September 2023 and scored his first goal for the German club in a Europa League win over Molde a month later.
On the international stage, Nathan Tella was called up to the Nigeria national team for the first time in November 2023 by former coach José Peseiro for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Career Stats
Tella remains one of Nigeria’s most promising attacking talents in Europe. Here is a breakdown of his numbers so far:
Southampton – 44 apps (3G, 6A)
Burnley – 45 apps (19G, 5A)
Bayer Leverkusen – 76 apps (10G, 10A)
Nigeria – 1 app
Nathan Tella Salary
According to Capology, Nathan Tella has about €7,200,000 in estimated gross salary remaining on his current deal with Bayer Leverkusen, which runs until 30 June 2028.
He earns a base salary of €1,800,000 for the 2024–2025 season. That breaks down to approximately €34,615 per week, excluding performance-related bonuses and other incentives.
Nathan Tella Market Value and Net Worth
According to Transfermarkt, Nathan Tella currently holds a market value of €18 million, reflecting his growing reputation in European football. His estimated net worth stands at £6,698,120, highlighting his financial growth since turning professional.
Parents
Nathan Tella was born in Lambeth, London, and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, to Nigerian parents. His full name, Nathan Adewale Temitayo Tella, reflects his Yoruba background, with strong family ties to the Southwestern part of Nigeria.
His father, Harry Tella, is known for his honest and encouraging feedback. He has always pushed Nathan to keep improving, even after strong performances. Tella’s mother has also been a solid support behind the scenes, sharing in the family’s joy during his career highs.
She was part of the celebrations when Nathan and Bayer Leverkusen secured the Bundesliga title, joining the family to take photos with him and Granit Xhaka after a match.
Tella has repeatedly credited his family for helping him stay focused and level-headed. Their belief in him has been a steady force from his academy days through to his rise in top-level European football.
Nathan Tella Girlfriend and Kids
At the moment, Nathan Tella has not made any relationship public. There is no known information about him having a girlfriend, wife, or children.
Nathan Tella Transfer News
As of May 2025, Nathan Tella is not linked with any move away from Bayer Leverkusen. Despite a few rumours earlier in the year, the Nigerian winger has made it clear that he is fully focused on helping the Bundesliga giants push for more success.
He is under contract with Leverkusen until June 2028, and the club sees him as part of their long-term plans. After helping the team lift the Bundesliga title, Tella looks set to continue growing in Germany with no transfer plans in sight.
FC 25 Ratings
Nathan Tella’s overall player rating is 76 as per EA SPORTS FC 25, showing his qualities as a fast and agile right midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen and the Super Eagles.
His standard card brings out his attacking threat and quick movement across wide areas:
Pace: 85 (Acceleration 90, Sprint Speed 81)
Dribbling: 79 (Agility 85, Balance 83, Ball Control 78, Dribbling 80, Composure 71)
Shooting: 70 (Finishing 74, Shot Power 80, Long Shots 60, Positioning 74)
Passing: 69 (Crossing 74, Vision 70, Short Passing 73, Long Passing 60, Curve 64)
Physicality: 59 (Stamina 75, Jumping 71, Strength 52, Aggression 54)
