The Dutch Eredivisie has served as a springboard for talented Nigerian players looking to make their mark in Europe so the transfer fees in this league mostly reflect the budding value of these players.
There have been high-profile signings and low-key arrivals, with these players having varying degrees of success in the Netherlands.
In this piece, Footynaija.com takes a look at the five most expensive Nigerian transfers in Eredivisie history and how they fared at their respective clubs.
5. Hilary Gong – AS Trencin to Vitesse Arnhem (€2.00m, 2018)
In 2018, Vitesse Arnhem invested €2 million to sign Gong, a highly-rated right winger from Slovakia based AS Trecin. At just 19, he was seen as an exciting prospect for the future, but injuries derailed his progress almost immediately. He managed only 8 Eredivisie appearances during his stint and couldn’t register a goal or assist.
Despite flashes of raw pace and dribbling, he struggled to establish himself in the squad. Gong left without any trophies or notable contributions, making his time at Vitesse a frustrating chapter for both player and club.
4. Chidera Ejuke – Valerenga to SC Heerenveen (€2.00m, 2019)
One year later, SC Heerenveen brought in Ejuke from Valerenga for an identical €2 million fee. Unlike Gong, Ejuke adapted quickly to life in the Eredivisie. The nimble left winger lit up the Abe Lenstra Stadion with his skills and fearlessness on the ball.
In his sole Eredivisie season, he tallied 9 goals and 4 assists in 25 league games, becoming a standout performer for his team. Ejuke’s performances earned him admirers across Europe and led to a big move to CSKA Moscow. His spell in the Netherlands may have been brief, but it was certainly impactful.
3. Sunday Oliseh – Koln to Ajax Amsterdam (€2.30m, 1997)
In the summer of 1997, Ajax swooped for Oliseh, paying €2.3 million to sign the tough-tackling midfielder from Koln. The Super Eagles legend was immediately trusted in central midfield and delivered a season of consistency and composure. He helped Ajax win a domestic double—the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup—in 97/98, contributing significantly to the team’s balance and defensive stability.
Despite staying only one season before moving on to Juventus, Oliseh’s performances in Amsterdam left a positive legacy, especially among Nigerian fans proud to see one of their own thrive at such a historic club.
2. Oluwafemi Ajilore – Midtjylland to FC Groningen (€3.30m, 2008)
Femi was FC Groningen’s big midfield signing in 2008, arriving for €3.3 million amid expectations that he would anchor their engine room. Over four seasons, he made 78 Eredivisie appearances and scored 4 goals for the club. While his stats suggest regular involvement, Femi never quite hit the heights envisioned for him.
He struggled with inconsistency and often faced criticism. To compound his struggles, a season-long loan to Danish side Brøndby offered little respite, as he failed to impress there too. By the time he departed, Femi’s Groningen spell was widely viewed as underwhelming, given the investment.
1. Calvin Bassey – Rangers to Ajax Amsterdam (€23.00m, 2022)
At the top of our list sits Bassey’s record-breaking €23 million transfer to Ajax in 2022. The versatile defender joined from Rangers after an impressive run to the Europa League final and was tipped to fill the void left by Lisandro Martínez.
Bassey’s time at Ajax, however, proved turbulent. He made 25 league appearances, providing 3 assists, but was often criticized for struggling to adapt to Ajax’s high defensive line. His physicality and energy were obvious strengths, yet his positional awareness came under scrutiny.
Ajax endured a disappointing season, finishing third in the league and failing to claim any silverware. After just one campaign, Bassey moved on to Fulham in the Premier League, where he has since established himself as a crucial player for Marco Silva..