Paul Onuachu marks return to Trabzonspor with match winner

Paul Onuachu rejoined Turkish top flight side Trabzonspor with much fanfare for the new season and made an instant impact on Monday, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory for the hosts against Kocaelispor in their 2025-26 Super Lig opener.

It was a trademark goal for poacher extraordinaire Onuachu, who used his towering frame to nod in a cross from Mustafa Eskihellaç following a corner kick. The Nigerian’s 50th minute opener proved to be the match winner for last season’s Turkish Cup runners-up, who edged newly promoted Kocaelispor to get their domestic league campaign off to a victorious start.

Onuachu, who joined compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme at the club, arrived for a reported fee of €5.7 million after an underwhelming spell at English Premier League club Southampton. He managed only 4 goals in 40 appearances for the Saints in all competitions after being signed for a large fee from Belgian club Genk.

But it appears that familiar surroundings at Trabzonspor will get Onuachu back to bagging goals on a regular basis. The 31-year-old previously spent the 2023-24 season on loan to Trabzonspor from Southampton, during which he produced 15 goals in 21 league games as the club finished third place.

Onuachu and Trabzonspor will travel to Kasımpaşa for their second league fixture next Monday.