Taye Taiwo Welcomes Tochukwu Nnadi to Marseille After Ligue 1 Move

Former Super Eagles and Olympique de Marseille defender Taye Taiwo has warmly welcomed Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi to the French Ligue 1 giants following his high-profile transfer.

Taiwo delivered his message in a heartfelt video shared on Marseille’s official social media platforms, addressing Nnadi directly with congratulations and words of encouragement as the young midfielder begins a new chapter in his career.

“Hi Nnadi, congratulations brother. Welcome to Marseille. I just want to say I wish you all the best and I will see you soon. You know say Naija no dey carry last. All the best brother. See you soon. Ciao,” Taiwo said, underlining the pride of seeing another Nigerian player join one of France’s biggest clubs.

Taiwo’s message carries added significance given his legacy at Marseille. The former left-back spent six successful years at the club between 2005 and 2011, becoming a fan favourite and winning the Ligue 1 title during his time at the Stade Vélodrome. He has remained a respected figure within the Marseille family, making his public show of support especially meaningful for Nnadi.

The 22-year-old midfielder responded with appreciation, acknowledging Taiwo’s encouragement and the shared sense of national pride between them.

“I’m just going to say thank you so much to Uncle Taiwo. This message means a lot to me and like he said, Naija no dey carry last. So come on Naija,” Nnadi said.

Born in Ihiagwa, Imo State, Nnadi completed his move to Marseille from Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem, where he had established himself as a dependable and hardworking presence in midfield. His performances in Belgium, marked by strong defensive awareness and tactical versatility, attracted interest from several European clubs.

Marseille confirmed the signing on Monday, February 2, just hours before the winter transfer window closed, securing the Nigerian as part of their plans for the second half of the season and beyond.

Nnadi’s arrival not only strengthens Marseille’s midfield options but also continues the growing representation of Nigerian footballers in Europe’s top leagues. It also creates a symbolic generational link at the club, connecting the young midfielder to Taiwo, whose impact at Marseille remains fondly remembered by supporters.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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