Trabzonspor rules out Paul Onuachu for beginning of the season

Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor has announced that Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu will miss the start of the 2025/26 league season due to a partial ankle ligament injury.

Onuachu, who arrived at Trabzonspor after Southampton’s relegation, sustained the injury during a recent preseason friendly match against Azerbaijani side Araz Nakhchivan. The club released an official statement on Saturday, providing details of the setback:

“During the friendly match played by our First Team against Araz Nakhchivan PFK, our player Paul Onuachu was substituted due to an injury.”

“Following a medical examination and MRI imaging, significant edema due to impact was detected in the bones of his left ankle, along with a partial injury to the ankle ligaments. Our medical team has started his treatment.”

The timeline for his recovery has not been officially confirmed, but he is expected to miss at least the opening fixtures of the campaign. Onuachu, who quickly became a fan favorite and consistent goal-scorer during a loan spell at the club during the 2023-24 season (15 goals in 21 league games), recently made his move to Trabzonspor permanent.

The club finalized a permanent deal this summer in hopes of building their frontline around the towering striker. However, his unfortunate injury will now force head coach Abdullah Avcı to reconsider his attacking options as the season opener looms.