Who is Tochukwu Nnadi, Marseille’s surprise midfield signing? | OneFootball

Tochukwu Nnadi arrived in Marseille on Monday morning to complete a move from Zulte Waregem, the defensive midfielder costing around six million euros. Little known in France, the 22-year-old is regarded in Belgium and Nigeria.

According to L'Équipe, the Nigeria international, capped once, emerged only on the eve of the move as a late-window addition, and the price, including bonuses, outstripped his Transfermarkt valuation of two million euros. Zulte Waregem were only just back in Belgium’s top flight.

Nnadi joined Zulte in January 2024 when they were in the second tier, helped win promotion last season, then maintained his rise in the elite. Observers in Belgium describe a team-first midfielder, stocky at 1.76m, with hefty impact, seven yellow cards and one red this season.

He impressed with a late half-hour cameo against Club Brugge recently. West Ham showed interest but Marseille convinced Zulte, who had not necessarily planned to lose him.

Nigeria coach Éric Chelle had tracked him and viewed the deal as a good move for Marseille, adding he had expected Premier League interest. He gave Nnadi a first call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations this winter, the midfielder playing about 10 minutes against Uganda.

Chelle points to his ball-winning in front of the defence or as a runner, plus pace, power and aggressive pressing over short bursts. On the ball he keeps it simple and shields it well, and in the right environment he could progress quickly, a profile not common in Marseille’s midfield.

Source: L'Équipe