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Nigeria U23 prospect Essien Bassey joins Viking FK from PSV
Nigeria Under-23 defender Essien Bassey has left PSV to join Norwegian club Viking FK in a deal that will see him remain in Scandinavia until mid-2030.
The 19-year-old full-back travelled to Norway on Wednesday to complete the transfer, having been identified as a potential Nigeria U23 player by head coach Eric Chelle.
PSV are expected to receive at least €1.5m for Bassey, according to De Telegraaf. His contract with the Dutch club had one year remaining, but he departs Eindhoven after making only one official appearance for the first team.
Bassey’s move to Viking FK means he will face his former club during the current season. Viking FK are scheduled to play PSV in the Champions League league phase in January.
The right-back joined PSV from De Graafschap in 2022 and initially developed through the club’s reserve structure. He made his Jong PSV debut two years later and went on to make 34 appearances for the reserve side.
His senior opportunity arrived in the Johan Cruyff Shield, when he featured against AZ. That appearance remained his only official outing for PSV’s first team before his transfer to Viking FK.
The move gives Bassey a fresh opportunity to establish himself at senior level while continuing to attract attention from Nigeria’s national-team set-up. Chelle has included him on the list of players being considered for the Nigeria U23 team.
Viking FK’s meeting with PSV will add an unusual element to the Champions League league phase for Bassey, who will return to face the club that signed him from De Graafschap and oversaw his progression into senior football.
Although his time with PSV’s first team was limited, his 34 Jong PSV appearances and senior debut in the Johan Cruyff Shield helped form the basis for his move to Norway. The agreement with Viking FK runs until mid-2030.
