Chibuike Nwaiwu completes big money move to Trabzonspor

Former Heartland FC and Enyimba central defender Chibuike Nwaiwu will play in the Turkish Super Lig after the 22-year-old Nigerian completed a transfer to Trabzonspor on Wednesday.

 

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The towering defender joins compatriots Paul Onuachu and Anthony Nwakaeme at the club based on the Black Sea coast from Austrian Bundesliga club Wolfsberger for a fee reported to be €5.5 million. Nwaiwu a season and a half with Wolfsberger, making 45 appearances in all competitions while helping the club finish fourth last season in the Bundesliga.

Prior to his time in Europe, Nwaiwu developed in Nigerian club football. The Port Harcourt native made over 50 appearances in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with Heartland FC and well known club Enyimba, with whom he won a NPFL title at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign.

Trabzonspor currently occupy third place on the Super Lig table and are seven points back of reigning champions Galatasaray, where Nigeria national team star Victor Osimhen continues to dominate the league’s scoring chart. Nwaiwu looks set for a starting role soon after arriving, considering a growing list of injuries in the squad and the high potential of the new arrival.

The club are currently competing in cup competitions, falling to Galatasaray on Monday in the Turkish Super Cup semifinals. They will next face second tier side Istanbulspor in the Turkish Cup before returning to Super Lig duties on January 18 against Kocaelispor.