Fielded in Trabzonspor’s wins over Galatasaray (4-0) and Beşiktaş (2-0), Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has seen his market value post the biggest rise in the Süper Lig in a recent update.
Two clean sheets in a row, two Turkish heavyweights kept silent. Under coach Thomas Reis, Trabzonspor first beat Galatasaray 4-0, then Beşiktaş 2-0, according to TV360 Nigeria. On both occasions, Chibuike Nwaiwu started in central defence.
The 23-year-old Nigerian centre-back is at the heart of that run. His market value posted the biggest rise in a recent Süper Lig update, again according to TV360 Nigeria. A surge that has put him in the spotlight in the Turkish league.
Gezer hails his defensive solidity
Nwaiwu’s defensive solidity did not escape Bünyamin Gezer, a former referee and football pundit. “Nwaiwu is very good in defence,” he said, according to TV360 Nigeria, as relayed by Taka Gazete.
The praise fits the framework set by Thomas Reis, whose approach emphasises defensive organisation and quick transitions, again according to TV360 Nigeria. It is in that system that the defender has been playing since joining Trabzonspor in January 2026 from Wolfsberger.
From Wolfsberger to the Super Eagles
Having arrived from Wolfsberger in January 2026, the centre-back has also scored a goal this season with Trabzonspor, according to TV360 Nigeria. On the international front, he received his first Super Eagles call-up in March 2026, replacing the injured Calvin Bassey for the friendlies against Iran and Jordan. He then made his debut for Nigeria.
NPFL president Gbenga Elegbeleye had congratulated him on those debuts, TV360 Nigeria reports. The same source adds that after the latest Süper Lig market value update, only Bassey, among Nigerian defenders, is valued higher than Nwaiwu.
English interest in the market
According to TV360 Nigeria, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Tottenham were monitoring his situation this summer. Fulham are said to have reached a personal agreement with the player. Again according to the same source, Trabzonspor rejected a second offer from the London club, refusing to sell below their valuation.
The size of the offers is not specified. Nothing suggests an imminent departure at this stage. Trabzonspor are continuing their season with their upcoming Süper Lig matches.