Salim Lawal completes transfer to Czech giants Viktoria Plzeň

After representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, forward Salim Lawal is off to Czech Republic after his transfer to Viktoria Plzeň was announced on Tuesday.

 

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The 23-year-old will join the UEFA Europa League participants after spending two-and-a-half seasons with Croatian club NK Istra 1961. The transfer fee is reported to be €2.4 million and Lawal has signed a contract with his new club that will run until 2029.

After featuring for his country at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he made five appearances and scored a goal, Lawal made his first move abroad to Istra from Nigerian lower division side Mavlon FC based in the capital of Abuja. He now leaves Istra after producing 15 goals and 2 assists in 68 appearances.

Lawal was a surprise inclusion on the Super Eagles squad at the recently completed Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, making his senior national team debut in a brief substitute appearance against Egypt in a pre-tournament friendly. He made his competitive debut for Nigeria after coming on in the final minutes of a 3-1 group stage victory over Uganda.

Plzeň’s new acquisition comes after the big money transfer of another Nigerian forward, Rafiu Durosinmi, who moved to Italian Serie A club Pisa for €9 million.

 

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Lawal’s new club finished second in the Czech First League to qualify for the ongoing 2025-26 UEFA Europa League, where they have already secured a place in the Round of 32. The 6-time Czech club champions are currently 4th in the ongoing Czech First League campaign, thirteen points back of current leaders Sparta Prague.