Raphael Onyedika joins Eintracht Frankfurt with European football ambitions

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika says he wants to help Eintracht Frankfurt return to European competition after completing his permanent move from Club Brugge.

The 25-year-old was officially presented by the Bundesliga club on Wednesday after Frankfurt agreed a deal that could eventually be worth €10m, including performance-related bonuses.

Onyedika has signed a five-year contract that runs until 30 June 2031 and will wear the number 25 shirt at Deutsche Bank Park. His agreement does not contain a release clause, while Club Brugge have retained a five per cent sell-on clause for any future transfer.

Frankfurt secured one of their long-term targets for considerably less than his reported market value of €23m because the Nigeria international had entered the final year of his contract with the Belgian champions.

The midfielder had attracted interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Ittihad, but chose the Bundesliga as the next stage of his career.

Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche believes Onyedika’s physical strength, tactical understanding and consistency will add to a midfield currently being rebuilt ahead of the new season.

The club expect him to form part of a new-look partnership with fellow midfielder Noel Aseko as they seek to improve on last season, when they failed to qualify for European football.

Speaking at his unveiling, Onyedika stressed that his immediate objective is to help Frankfurt compete at the highest level again. He also outlined personal ambitions centred on continuing his development and making an early contribution to the team.

The Nigerian said his first impressions of life in Germany had been positive and made clear that continued improvement would remain a priority as he settles into his new surroundings.

The move has added significance because Onyedika is the sixth Nigerian international to play for Eintracht Frankfurt. He follows in the footsteps of Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, who represented the club between 1992 and 1996.

Okocha became a favourite among Frankfurt supporters during his time in Germany, where his flair and creativity helped establish his reputation before he went on to become one of Africa’s greatest footballers.

His influence remains part of Frankfurt’s history, and Onyedika regards him as a natural role model. The new signing acknowledged that Okocha’s reputation extends well beyond the club and remains particularly strong in Nigeria.

Onyedika arrives after four successful seasons with Club Brugge. During that period, he won two Belgian Pro League titles, the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup.

He also developed significant experience in European football, making 24 UEFA Champions League appearances across three seasons.

His standing with Nigeria has continued to grow. Onyedika has won 26 international caps and played an important role in the Super Eagles squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Frankfurt supporters could get an early opportunity to see their new midfielder in action. He is expected to make his unofficial debut in a pre-season friendly against Hull City.

His first competitive appearance is scheduled for 21 August, when Frankfurt face fifth-tier side St. Tonis 1911/20 in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal.

The club then begin their Bundesliga campaign away to Union Berlin on 29 August. Onyedika will hope to become an important part of Frankfurt’s attempt to regain European status while adding further honours to a collection that already includes major domestic trophies from his time in Belgium.