Confirmed! Nigerian football prodigy Sani Suleman has officially joined German giants RB Leipzig, marking another milestone for African talent in Europe. The 19-year-old winger moves from Slovak side AS Trenčín after the German club agreed on a deal reportedly worth €5 million, potentially rising to €6 million with performance-related bonuses. Suleman, formerly a standout at Akwa United, is set to undergo his medical this week and will wear the number 18 jersey for Leipzig.
Suleman’s journey has been meteoric. At Akwa United, he won the NPFL Rookie of the Season, netting 11 goals and providing 5 assists in just 15 matches at age 17. His pace, skill, and attacking threat quickly caught the eye of European clubs, earning him a move to AS Trenčín in Slovakia in July 2024. In just over a season, the Nigerian winger scored 5 goals in 34 appearances, proving he could thrive outside Nigeria.
Read: Son of Former Super Eagles Defender Signs for Brentford
Beating European Giants
Suleman’s transfer was far from straightforward. Reports indicate that RB Leipzig beat off competition from Premier League and La Liga teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and PSG, to secure his signature. The move underlines Leipzig’s strategy of investing in elite young talent with high potential to perform at top levels.
Sky Sports journalist Philipp Hinze confirmed the transfer and clarified a long-standing mix-up: the player’s first name is correctly spelled Suleman, not Suleiman. With a long-term contract until June 2031, Leipzig sees Suleman as a key part of their future plans, integrating him directly into the squad rather than sending him out on loan.
The transfer also cements Nigeria’s growing reputation for producing young talent capable of dominating European leagues. Suleman has already showcased his international promise with the Nigeria U-20 team, playing at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup and ranking among the top young dribblers and creators worldwide.
Read: Morocco Beat Cameroon and March Into the Semi-Finals
A New Chapter for Nigerian Football
At just 19, Sani Suleman becomes another Nigerian talent to make Europe take notice. From the NPFL to Slovakia and now the Bundesliga, his trajectory is a blueprint for aspiring African players. RB Leipzig’s announcement hailed him as “another young attacking option for the future”, reflecting confidence in his technical ability, speed, and creativity.
As Suleman prepares to write the next chapter in his career, Nigerian fans and football enthusiasts across the continent have every reason to celebrate. He is not just a player moving clubs; he is a symbol of NPFL’s growing impact on global football.
Stay with RefinedNG for all updates on African players making waves in Europe, transfer news, and detailed insights into the continent’s rising football stars. Africa’s young talents are shaping the future and you don’t want to miss a moment.