FC Basel loan in talented Nigerian winger but not a replacement for Fulham target Otele

With a statement on the official website, Swiss Super League champions FC Basel have confirmed the loan signing of Nigeria-eligible winger Jeremy Agbonifo. 

The RC Lens-owned player joins Basel until the summer of 2026 with an option to buy in the deal. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com has been informed that Agbonifo has not been signed as a direct replacement for another Nigerian winger Philip Otele who has been linked with a summer move to Premier League club Fulham.

The Cottagers have scouted Otele extensively, including during Basel’s recent UEFA Champions League playoff clash with FC Copenhagen, but are yet to table a formal bid. 

The forward, who has a contract with FC Basel until 2028, is valued at around £15 million.

Agbonifo has been recruited to fill the void left by Anton Kade, who joined Bundesliga side FC Augsburg on Monday.

Sporting director Daniel Stuck revealed Basel had monitored the 19-year-old attacker for some time but were previously priced out of a deal. 

Born in Göteborg, Agbonifo is eligible to represent both Nigeria and Sweden and has featured for Sweden at U18 and U21 level. 

A product of the BK Häcken and FC Porto youth teams, he signed for Lens in January and has since made eight appearances for the French Ligue 1 club, scoring once.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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