Paul Onuachu completes Trabzonspor loan switch

Nigerian international striker Paul Onuachu has completed a season-long loan move to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor from Southampton. The giant striker endured a frustrating eight months in England’s South Coast before moving to Turkey.

Onuachu joined Southampton in a deadline day move from KRC Genk, where he had been so successful.

Following his deadline day move from Genk, the striker was hardly trusted to lead the line for the Saints. The Super Eagles striker, however, featured 11 times for Southampton in the Premier League without scoring once. He could not help his side avoid the drop as they were relegated to the Championship.

When the 2023-24 season began under new manager Russell Martin in the Championship, it became evident that Onuachu was not going to play an important role for the club. He did not appear in any league games and made one substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup.

There was interest from Germany, but a move did not materialise eventually for the 29-year-old. He also had interest from Genk, but the move also did not work out.

Turkish outfit Trabzonspor went into a frenzy in the final days of the transfer window looking to strengthen their squad. They signed Nicolas Pepe from Arsenal before adding Onuachu from Southampton on loan. The former Midtjylland striker follows in the footsteps of John Obi Mikel and Anthony Nwakaeme, two recent Nigerians to line up for them.