Over the years, Nigerian footballers have carved out a special place in Spain’s La Liga, a league known for its flair, technicality, and competitive edge.
From the late ’90s to the present day, 24 Nigerians have managed to etch their names into the history books, scoring crucial goals and dazzling Spanish football fans with their skill and determination.
The latest to join this elite list is Chidera Ejuke, whose late strike for Sevilla against Real Valladolid made him the 24th Nigerian to score in La Liga.
From record goal-scorers like Ikechukwu Uche to cult heroes like Finidi George and Mutiu Adepoju, Nigerian players have consistently left their mark on the Spanish game.
Here is Soccernet.ng‘s closer look at the Nigerian goal-scorers in La Liga:
The Nigerian Legends of La Liga
Christopher Ohen – 46 goals (SD Compostela)
One of the earliest Nigerian pioneers in Spain, Ohen’s clinical finishing made him a fan favourite at SD Compostela, where he found the back of the net 46 times across four seasons.
Ikechukwu Uche – 43 goals (Five clubs)
Uche remains one of the most prolific Nigerian scorers in La Liga history, having scored 43 goals during his time at five different Spanish clubs, including Getafe, Villarreal, and Granada.
Finidi George – 43 goals (Real Betis, Mallorca)
Finidi George became a household name in Spain with his standout performances for Real Betis and Mallorca. His 43 goals in La Liga, combined with his incredible displays down the right wing, made him a true icon of Nigerian football.
Kalu Uche – 38 goals (Three clubs)
Kalu Uche was known for his versatility and eye for goal, scoring 38 times while representing Almería, Espanyol, and Levante.
Mutiu Adepoju – 22 goals (Real Sociedad, Racing Santander)
Adepoju’s career in Spain was one of consistent success. The Super Eagles legend tallied 22 goals over seven seasons, playing pivotal roles for both Real Sociedad and Racing Santander.
Samuel Chukwueze – 21 goals (Villarreal)
A recent addition to Nigeria’s La Liga legends, Chukwueze’s explosive pace and trickery saw him score 21 goals for Villarreal, where he became a key player in their attacking line-up.
More Nigerian Trailblazers
Beyond the top scorers, many other Nigerian players have made notable contributions to La Liga.
Odion Ighalo, with 13 goals for Granada, and Isaac Success, who netted seven times for Málaga and Granada, were powerful forwards who left their mark.
Obafemi Martins also had a brief but memorable stint at Levante, where his seven goals helped the club during a competitive season.
In the modern era, players like Umar Sadiq, who has scored six goals across Almería and Real Sociedad, and Ramon Azeez, with four goals to his name, have continued to fly the Nigerian flag high in La Liga.
Veterans like Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike and Victor Obinna also had their moments of brilliance, each scoring three, one, and four goals, respectively, during their time in Spain.
Nigerian Defenders and Midfielders in La Liga
It’s not just the forwards who have found the net in Spain.
Midfielders like Nosa Igiebor (2 goals for Real Betis) and Peter Etebo (1 goal for Getafe) have played pivotal roles for their teams, contributing both defensively and offensively.
Even defenders like Kenneth Omeruo and Nduka Ugbade made their mark by scoring a goal each in their La Liga careers.
All-Time List of Nigerian Goal-Scorers in La Liga
- Christopher Ohen – 46 goals
- Ikechukwu Uche – 43 goals
- Finidi George – 43 goals
- Kalu Uche – 38 goals
- Mutiu Adepoju – 22 goals
- Samuel Chukwueze – 21 goals
- Odion Ighalo – 13 goals
- Isaac Success – 7 goals
- Obafemi Martins – 7 goals
- Umar Sadiq – 6 goals
- Victor Obinna – 4 goals
- Ramon Azeez – 4 goals
- Bartholomew Ogbeche – 3 goals
- Rashidi Yekini – 3 goals
- Nosa Igiebor – 2 goals
- Peter Etebo – 1 goal
- Moses Simon – 1 goal
- Emmanuel Amunike – 1 goal
- Nduka Ugbade – 1 goal
- Kenneth Omeruo – 1 goal
- Chrisantus Uche – 1 goal
- Brown Ideye – 1 goal
- Elderson Echiejile – 1 goal
- Chidera Ejuke – 1 goal