Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu has completed a permanent move from Southampton to Trabzonspor, bringing an end to a largely underwhelming stint in English football, Footynaija.com reports.
The English side confirmed the departure of the 31-year-old forward, who rejoins the Turkish Super Lig club after a successful loan spell there during the 2023-2024 season.
Onuachu scored 17 goals and provided four assists in 25 appearances during his time with the Black Sea Storm, reigniting the form that once made him one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Onuachu signed for Southampton from Belgian side Genk in January 2023 in a deal worth around €18 million. However, he failed to register a goal or assist in his debut Premier League campaign, which culminated in the Saints’ relegation to the Championship. He found the net just four times in 25 matches across all competitions in England.
The towering striker’s most memorable international moment came in 2019, when he scored Nigeria’s fastest-ever goal — just 10 seconds into a friendly against Egypt.
While Onuachu’s time at Southampton may have faltered, his exploits in Belgium remain unforgettable.
In the 2020–21 season, he netted 33 league goals for Genk — 35 in all competitions — earning him the Pro League Player of the Year, the Ebony Shoe, and the Belgian Golden Shoe. His tally was the most in the league since 1980 and remains a record for Genk in a single season.
Despite having 25 caps for Nigeria, Onuachu has not featured under new Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle, who has left him out of his first five squads since taking charge.
He now reunites with fellow Nigerian forward Anthony Nwakaeme at Trabzonspor as he looks to extend his resurgence in Turkey.