Record-breaking Wirtz deal raises the question: Who is the costliest Nigerian signed by a British club?

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the transfer of Germany international Florian Wirtz for €136.3 million .

The transfer includes an initial fee of €117.5 million and a further €18.8 million in variables, and the attacking midfielder is expected to sign a contract with the Reds until 2030, as reported by The Athletic.

The deal represents a club-record fee for Liverpool and could become the most expensive transfer in British football history if the performance-related add-ons are triggered, surpassing the highest transfer to date, that of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for a total amount of 133 million euros. 

In his final season at Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz directly participated in 31 goals (16 goals, 15 assists) , and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2023-2024.

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi holds the distinction of being the most expensive Nigerian footballer ever signed by a British club,

After the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Hale End Academy graduate departed boyhood club Arsenal for Everton in a deal worth up to £35 million — comprising a guaranteed £28 million fee and an additional £7 million in potential performance-related add-ons.

Iwobi spent four seasons at Everton before making a return to London in September 2023, joining Fulham for a £22 million transfer fee, first reported by allnigeriasoccer.com. 

Before Iwobi set a new benchmark as the most expensive Nigerian signed by a British club, the record was held by former Manchester City prodigy Kelechi Iheanacho, following his £25 million move to Leicester City.

The record for the most expensive Nigerian footballer signed by a British club was once held by notable names like John Obi Mikel, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu and Daniel Amokachi, before being surpassed by Iwobi and Iheanacho.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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