Raphael Onyedika biography and football background
Raphael Onyedika, a central figure in Nigerian football, currently represents Club Brugge in the Belgian top division. The defensive midfielder is steadily making his mark in Europe. Raphael Onyedika, Salary, Net Worth, Transfer News, Age, Club Brugge, Super Eagles, remains one of the trending topics among football fans and scouts tracking young talent across Europe.
Born on April 19, 2001, in Imo State, Nigeria, Onyedika’s footballing journey began in humble settings. He started on the streets of Owerri before being scouted by FC Ebedei, one of Nigeria’s respected academies. By age 15, he was part of a structured football system that shaped his raw talent into professional quality.
Early career and move to Europe
Time at FC Ebedei and FC Midtjylland
After spending three years with FC Ebedei, Onyedika transitioned to Denmark, where he joined the academy of FC Midtjylland.
The partnership between FC Ebedei and FC Midtjylland paved the way for this opportunity. Shortly after turning 18, he made the switch and began featuring in youth competitions like the UEFA Youth League, showing great promise.
Loan spell at FC Fredericia
To gain more experience, Onyedika went on loan to FC Fredericia in the Danish First Division. His time there was productive as he appeared in 28 matches and netted three goals.
He was later named in the Team of the Season by TV3 Sport, a testament to his immediate impact.
Return to Midtjylland and senior debut
Onyedika returned to Midtjylland and earned his place in the senior team during the 2021-2022 season. He featured in 31 league matches, starting 29 of them.
His performances were solid enough to attract interest from top European clubs, including Serie A’s AC Milan.
Transfer to Club Brugge
Five-year deal and immediate impact
On August 28, 2022, Club Brugge secured Onyedika’s signature with a transfer fee of £11.6 million. He signed a five-year contract that runs until June 2027.
Less than two weeks later, he made his UEFA Champions League debut in a match against Bayer Leverkusen. Club Brugge won the match 1-0, with Onyedika delivering a disciplined performance.
Club achievements
Onyedika played a key role in Club Brugge’s league-winning 2023-24 campaign and helped them lift the Belgian Cup in the 2024-25 season. His consistency and ball-winning ability were essential in both triumphs.
International career with Super Eagles
Onyedika made his debut for Nigeria on September 27, 2022, in a friendly against Algeria. He entered the game as a second-half substitute, wearing the number 19 jersey. Nigeria lost 2-1, but it marked the beginning of his journey with the national team.
He later participated in the Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria secure a second-place finish. His contributions earned him the national honor of Member of the Order of Niger. As of 2025, he has earned 17 caps and scored once.
Raphael Onyedika’s playing style
Raphael Onyedika is a deep-lying midfielder known for his ability to break up opposition play. His style combines athleticism, tactical awareness, and clean distribution. He is effective in tight spaces and rarely loses the ball under pressure.
What sets him apart from many defensive midfielders is his ball control and dribbling. He uses skill moves to navigate congested midfield areas, contributing to both defensive and attacking phases. This versatility has drawn comparisons to elite midfielders in European football.
Salary, contract, and earnings
At Club Brugge, Onyedika earns £11,000 per week, translating to an annual salary of £572,000. This figure reflects his status as a developing talent in one of Europe’s mid-tier leagues.
Raphael Onyedika net worth
Although still early in his professional journey, Raphael Onyedika has accumulated an estimated net worth between £2.5 and £7 million. His value is expected to grow with continued performance in domestic and international competitions.
Raphael Onyedika market value and ranking
As of March 2025, Onyedika’s market value stands at €20 million. In the Jupiler Pro League, he ranks 13th among all players. Within Club Brugge, he is their sixth most valuable asset. Globally, he holds a rank of 1,057 among all professional players.
Among Nigerian players, he stands 15th in value and is the 86th highest-ranked defensive midfielder worldwide. In his birth year cohort (2001), he ranks 77th in value.
Transfer updates and Premier League interest
Due to his strong performances in Belgium, Onyedika has caught the eye of Premier League sides. West Ham United and Everton have been linked with a potential move. Both clubs view him as a midfield upgrade and are monitoring his contract situation at Club Brugge.
Raphael Onyedika personal life
Girlfriend and relationship status
There is no public information regarding Onyedika’s romantic relationships. He has not disclosed details about any girlfriend or relationship status.
House and cars
Onyedika keeps his personal life private. There are no public images or posts showing any of his properties or vehicles.
Social media presence
He is active on Instagram under the handle @onyedika15. Most of his posts focus on football, either during matches or training. His profile image is a tribute to his mother, reflecting a strong family bond.
EA Sports FC 24 rating
On EA Sports FC 24, Onyedika has an overall rating of 73. His playing stats reflect a strong defensive work rate and a medium attacking rate. He ranks 2,910 in the game globally, showing potential for further improvements.
Individual and team honours
Club achievements
- Belgian Pro League: 2023–24 (Club Brugge)
- Belgian Cup: 2024–25 (Club Brugge)
International honours
- Africa Cup of Nations Runner-up: 2023 (Nigeria)
Youth and other awards
- Danish Cup: 2021/22 (Midtjylland)
- Danish Youth Champion: 2021 (Midtjylland U19)
- EaglesTracker Midfielder of the Season: 2023-24
- Member of the Order of Niger (Nigeria)
With clubs like Everton and West Ham showing interest, the future may see him move to a more competitive league. For now, he continues to thrive at Club Brugge and remains a valuable asset for the Super Eagles.
Article updated 3 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
