Awaziem moves to Turkish club Konyaspor

Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has completed a permanent move to Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor. completesports.com information.

The 29-year-old player joined the Green and Whites from French side Nantes after signing a two-year contract. He will wear the number 15 shirt for the 2026/27 campaign.

Return to familiar territory

The move marks a return to familiar territory for Awaziem, who previously played in the Turkish top flight during loan spells with Çaykur Rizespor and Alanyaspor.

The centre-back made 16 league appearances for Rizespor after joining the club on loan from FC Porto during the second half of the 2018/19 season.

He later enjoyed another loan spell with Alanyaspor in the 2021/22 campaign, scoring one goal in 18 league games.

Also read:Awaziem will join the Turkish club on a two-year contract

Awaziem Trip In Portugal

Awaziem began his professional career with Portuguese giants FC Porto in 2015, and has also had loan spells at Spanish side Leganés, Portuguese side Boavista and Croatian side Hajduk Split.

He left Porto permanently in 2024 to join Major League Soccer, MLS, FC Cincinnati before moving to Colorado Rapids a year later.

After a brief stay in the United States, he moved to Nantes, from where he has now managed to return to Türkiye.

Recognition on the international scene

On the international stage, Awaziem was part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, although he did not participate as the Super Eagles were eliminated in the group stage.

The versatile defender has also represented Nigeria in four African Cup of Nations tournaments, being part of the Super Eagles squads for the 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 editions.

Konyaspor finished ninth in the Turkish Super League last season and finished the campaign as Turkish Cup runners-up after losing to Trabzonspor in the final.

By Adeboye Amosu