Super Eagles stars set to soar in new Premier League season

Ever since the announcement of the official Premier League fixture list, Friday 11th August has been a date with a large red circle around it in the calendars of football fans, and punters assessing the best betting offers new players can take advantage of.  

Eagles Set to Soar in Coming Campaign

The Premier League has become a beacon for the planet's top talent, and most of the 20 squads now have a League of Nations feel. Included in that mix are the following Nigerian stars, ready, willing and able to hit the soccer news headlines for all the right reasons in the upcoming season.

Ola Oina 

Club: Nottingham Forest
Age: 26
Position: Right Back/Wing-Back
International Caps: 30

A product of the Chelsea youth system, speedy wing-back Aina was never able to establish a spot at Stamford Bridge but has shown what he can do elsewhere – particularly during an excellent first season with Torino in Italy. Having spent last season on loan at Fulham, he joins Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal and may have found the platform to reignite his career.

Taiwo Awoniyi 

Club: Nottingham Forest
Age: 25
Position: Striker
International Caps: 6

It’s safe to say that powerful target man Awoniyi has taken a little time to find a permanent home. Despite only being 25, the Nottingham Forest number 9 has experienced seven loan moves since being signed by Liverpool as a teenager. Things didn’t work out at Anfield, but they just might at the City Ground. Just about the most impressive forward at Forest last season, Awoniyi ended the campaign with six goals in four games and will be keen to continue that excellent work in 2023/24.

Calvin Bassey 

Club: Fulham
Age: 23
Position: Left Back/Centre Back
International Caps: 10

Having come through the youth ranks at Leicester City, Bassey moved to Rangers in 2020 for first-team football. That decision proved a shrewd move, with Bassey becoming a huge success at Ibrox – proving influential in the club’s league and cup triumphs and run to the UEFA Europa League Final – before securing a €20m move to Ajax. Having joined Fulham in the summer transfer window, he now gets to display his undoubted talent in the Premier League and rates an exciting addition at Craven Cottage.

Emmanuel Dennis

Club: Nottingham Forest
Age: 25
Position: Forward
International Caps: 8

Despite seeming to have been around forever, the tricky and talented Dennis is still only 25 years of age and may well have his best years ahead of him. First exploding on the scene in Ukraine with Zorya Luhansk, Dennis earned his big move to England with Watford in 2021 and has since proved to be a reliable source of goals and attacking threat. Entering his second season with the Tricky Trees, he will hope to improve on last season's tally of two goals from 19 appearances.

Frank Onyeka
 

Club: Brentford
Age: 25
Position: Defensive Midfielder
International Caps: 12

Onyeka’s nickname of “The Tank” is thoroughly deserved, with his powerful presence in the centre of the park making him a pivotal figure - first with Danish side Midtjylland and now Brentford. Joining the Bees in 2021, Onyecka is yet to become fully established in Thomas Frank’s midfield but has, nevertheless, racked up 41 appearances in his two seasons to date and patrolled the midfield with distinction and force whenever called upon.

Alex Iwobi

Club: Everton
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
International Caps: 63

Probably still the biggest Nigerian name in the Premier League is Everton’s attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi. The nephew of the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha, Iwobi now has over 200 Premier League appearances behind him, first with Arsenal, and, latterly, with Everton following a big-money 2019 transfer. Proving himself to be more than up for the fight in Everton’s battle to beat the drop last season, he, and the club, will be hoping for a smoother time of things this time around.