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12 African Players Who Moved In The January Transfer Window

12 African Players Who Moved In The January Transfer Window

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The transfer season is a busy time for European soccer, and this includes the January transfer window which falls in the middle of the season.

As it often happens at this stage of the campaign, numerous African players were the subject of transfers from one team to another in order for sides to strengthen their squads going forward into the second part of the season.

Some players left clubs in search for glory with new teams, while many clubs have taken the opportunity to bolster their sides with the addition of African soccer stars.

We take a closer look at 12 of the African players who have made moves during the January transfer season.

Source: ESPNFC, BBCNews, TheGuardian, EyeWitnessNews, CompleteSports.

Emmanuel Adebayor Cote D'Ivoire And Togo
Emmanuel Adebayor played for Togo at the AFCON – africafootballshop.com

Emmanuel Adebayor

Togo striker Adebayor has been without a club for this entire season thus far, but his performances for the Togo national team has landed him an 18-month contract from Turkish surprise package Istanbul Basaksehir, and he grabbed it with both hands.

Jordan Ayew
Jordan Ayew in action during his days with Marseille – skysports.com

Jordan Ayew

Andre Ayew’s younger brother made a move away from Aston Villa while at the 2017 AFCON with Ghana, joining Premier League side Swansea City. The 25-year old signed for the Swans on deadline day, after asking his older brother about the club he left for West Ham in August last year.

Nigeria's Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo made a transfer to China – express.co.uk

Odion Ighalo

Nigerian striker Ighalo moved from Watford in the English Premier League to Chinese club Changchun Yatai for a fee of $24.8 million, with an additional $6.2 million to be paid to Watford depending on the player’s performances. The 27-year-old was arguably the Hornets’ best player in 2015, scoring 30 goals during the year.

John Obi Mikel - Turkish clubs
John Obi Mikel has considered his future – howng.com

John Obi Mikel

The Chelsea veteran has been the subject of transfer speculation for the last year, and he finally completed a move away from the London club, choosing to make his way to China as part of the player exodus to the far east. The 29-year-old joined Chinese Super League club Tianjin TEDA, where he will earn around $174,000 a week.

Alfred N'diaye at Villarreal (zimbio.com)
Alfred N’diaye moved from Villarreal to Hull City (zimbio.com)

Alfred N’Diaye

The Paris-born Senegal international was a deadline day capture for Hull City coach Marco Silva, and the Portuguese tactician will be pleased to have added the services of the uncompromising midfielder to his list of players.

Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi is a transfer target. Photo: Complete Sports
Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi is now a Leicester City player. Photo: Complete Sports

Wilfred Ndidi

English Premier League club Leicester City completed the signing of Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi from Belgian club Genk in January in a deal worth $18 million that will see him remain at the current Premier League champions for five and a half years.

South African talent Keagan Dolly. Photo: The New Age
South African talent Keagan Dolly. Photo: The New Age

Keagan Dolly

South African midfielder Dolly made a switch from Mamelodi Sundowns to French club Montpellier in a four and a half year deal worth $1.8 million after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical to complete his move from Sundowns.

Algerian Adlene Guedioura joined Middlesbrough in the transfer window. Photo: BBC
Algerian Adlene Guedioura joined Middlesbrough in the transfer window. Photo: BBC

Adlene Guedioura

Middlesbrough completed the signing of Algeria midfielder Adlene Guedioura from Premier League side Watford on a two and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee, giving the 31-year-old a new home at the North East club.

Lacina Traore made his move in the January window. Photo: Alchetron
Lacina Traore made his move in the January window. Photo: Alchetron

Lacina Traore

La Liga minnows Sporting Gijon signed Ivorian international striker Lacina Traore on loan from Monaco in January in an effort to strengthen their squad for their relegation battle. He scored six goals in 21 appearances on loan at CSKA this season, and the Spanish side will hope for similar form in La Liga.

Adama Traoré. Photo: YouTube
Adama Traoré joined Rio Ave in January. Photo: YouTube

Adama Traore

Malian midfielder Adama Traore completed a transfer to Portuguese club Rio Ave on loan from Monaco in January. The player of the tournament at the 2015 Under-20 World Cup has struggled to settle in France, and will look to kick-start his career in Portugal.

Aaron Samuel in action. Photo: StarAfrica
Aaron Samuel in action. Photo: StarAfrica

Aaron Samuel

Nigeria striker Aaron Samuel signed a four and a half year contract with Russian champions CSKA Moscow after impressing with three goals in ten games for the Russian outfit in a loan spell from Guanghzou R&F.

Taye Taiwo is a former Nigerian international. Photo: closefootball.com
Taye Taiwo is a former Nigerian international. Photo: closefootball.com

Taye Taiwo

Former Nigeria international Taye Taiwo signed a six-month contract with Swiss club Lausanne Sport, leaving HJK Helsinki in the process. The former AC Milan and Marseille left-back is 31 years old and hopeful of a few more positive years as a professional before retirement.