Nigerian footballers have long lit up Ligue 1 with their pace, power and panache. From Jay-Jay Okocha’s dazzling flair in Paris to Victor Osimhen’s ruthless finishing at Lille, these players have justified their big price tags and etched their names into French football’s history books.
In this article, Footynaija.com takes a look at the five most expensive Nigerian transfers in Ligue 1 history, taking a close look at how they fared at their various clubs.
5. Jay-Jay Okocha – €12.4 million (Fenerbache to Paris Saint-Germain, 1998)
When PSG signed Jay-Jay Okocha from Fenerbahce for €12.4 million in 1998, they weren’t just buying a footballer, they were signing an entertainer. Okocha wowed fans with his outrageous skills and free-kicks, scoring 12 goals across four seasons in the French capital. While he didn’t collect major trophies, his creativity and charisma made him a cult hero at the Parc des Princes as well as a Ligue 1 legend.
4. Henry Onyekuru – €13.5 million (Everton to AS Monaco, 2019)
After a promising loan stint in Turkey and failure to secure a work permit in England, Monaco snapped up Onyekuru in 2019 for €13.5 million. But the move never clicked. The speedy winger managed only 8 appearances with no goals or assists before being loaned out repeatedly. Onyekuru’s time at the Principality club faded quickly, leaving fans wondering what might have been.
3. Gift Orban – €14 million (Gent to Olympique Lyon, 2024)
Lyon turned to Nigerian hotshot Gift Orban in January 2024, splashing €14 million to bring him from Gent. The striker hit the ground running with 5 goals in his first half-season, showing glimpses of his deadly finishing and explosive pace. Scarce playing time during what was supposed to be his first full season in Lyon ended up in a permanent transfer to Hoffenheim in January 2025.
2. Victor Osimhen – €22.4 million (Charleroi to LOSC Lille, 2019)
Osimhen’s €22.4 million move from Sporting Charleroi to Lille in 2019 was a masterstroke. The Nigerian striker bagged 13 league goals and 5 assists in his debut season, terrorizing defenders with his pace and power. He earned Lille’s Player of the Year award before sealing a blockbuster transfer to Napoli. Though Lille didn’t win trophies during his time, Osimhen’s impact was huge.
1. Terem Moffi – €22.50m (Lorient to OGC Nice, 2023)
Topping our list is Moffi, whose €22.5 million switch from Lorient to Nice in January 2023 made him the priciest Nigerian in Ligue 1 history. The powerful forward made an instant impression, scoring 9 goals in his first 20 appearances and helping Nice push for Europe.
Moffi went ahead to notch 11 goals in his first full season, finishing as the club’s top scorer for the 23/24 campaign. But a long term injury sidelined him for the majority of the 24/25 campaign, limiting him to just five appearances and a goal.