Ethan Nwaneri scores on Marseille debut, others who struck first time after winter moves | OneFootball

Ethan Nwaneri announced himself in style for Marseille, scoring in a 3-1 win over Lens moments after signing. The 18-year-old, on loan from Arsenal, curved a left-foot finish after a solo run in the 13th minute.

Three other January movers also scored on Ligue 1 debuts this month, L'Équipe notes. Elye Wahi struck for Nice against Strasbourg in a 1-1 draw, Rémy Cabella netted a penalty for Nantes at Marseille in a 2-0 win, and Luca Koleosho decided Paris FC’s 2-1 victory over the Canaris.

Such starts guarantee nothing. Monaco’s Mika Biereth drew a blank on debut in a 1-2 loss to Montpellier, then scored in a 3-2 win over Rennes to spark 13 goals and two assists in under half a season.

Arkadiusz Milik waited until his second Marseille outing, a 2-2 draw with Lens on 3 February 2021, before finishing that campaign with nine in 15. By contrast, Mario Balotelli marked his Marseille bow against Lille with a stoppage-time strike in a 1-2 defeat on 25 January 2019.

Earlier, Didier Drogba moved from Le Mans to Guingamp in January 2002 and scored at Metz in a 4-2 win, launching the season that took him to Marseille. Mohamed Bamba joined Lorient in January 2024, scored against Le Havre in a 3-3 draw, then added five in his first four Ligue 1 games and eight across the half-season with three assists, though this campaign has been far leaner.

Source: L'Équipe