
The January transfer window is approaching its conclusion, resulting in an increase in activity as clubs around the world make final adjustments. This month and the resulting transfers are highlighting special talents and providing opportunities for African players to boost their stock or impress on a new stage.
Most notable among the moves over the last week is the transfer of Sierra Leonean defender Juma Bah to Manchester City. It has been a truly remarkable rise for the 18-year-old center back who joined Valladolid on loan in August, quickly earned a permanent transfer and transferred to English Premier League champions Manchester City this past weekend after making twelve appearances for Valladolid in Spain's La Liga.
After announcing their acquisition of Bah, Man City announced that he will spend the remainder of the 2024-25 season with French Ligue 1 club RC Lens.
Another West African defender who completed a loan transfer was Guinea national team central defender Saïdou Sow, who made his Ligue 1 debut for FC Nantes on Sunday after joining on loan from Strasbourg.
Nigeria national team left back Bruno Onyemachi completed a permanent transfer to top Greek side Olympiacos from Portugal's Boavista, a club who have come under financial scrutiny and reportedly received €2.5 million for the transfer. The 25-year-old Owerri native joins a club that competes regularly in UEFA club competitions after amassing 4 goals and 3 assists in 71 league appearances for Boavista over three seasons.
North African clubs and players were also active over the past week. After failing to impress in a talented group of goalkeepers with Moroccan giants AS FAR, El Mehdi Benabid is off to Botola Pro rivals Wydad AC. Another notable Moroccan to move clubs is former national team midfielder Adel Taarabt who is switching clubs in the UAE after the 35-year-old moved from Al Nasr to Al Sharjah.

Niger national team star midfielder Youssouf Oumarou will continue his club career in Iraq with top flight side Al Karma after three-and-a-half seasons in Tunisia, a difficult blow to the title ambitions of current Tunisia Ligue 1 leaders Stade Tunisien. Oumarou contributed 7 goals and 2 assists in 15 matches during the first half of the season for Stade.
Finally, Ivorian national team winger Jean Thierry Lazare completed a loan move to fellow Belgian Pro League side Standard Liège from Royale Union SG after struggling for playing time. Senegalese starlet defender Mamadou Thierno Barry will move to Lazare's parent club Union SG after the 19-year-old impressed over the past year with Norwegian club Tromsø.
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