Here’s a detailed biography of Raphael Onyedika Nwadike, a rising star in Nigerian football:
Early Life & Youth Career
- Full Name: Raphael Onyedika Nwadike
- Born: 19 April 2001, Imo State, Nigeria
- Grew up playing street football before joining Ozalla Football Academy and later FC Ebedei from 2016 to 2019
Club Career
FC Midtjylland (Denmark)
- Joined Midtjylland’s academy in 2019 via their Ebedei link. Signed a five-year professional contract on 1 July 2020
- Loaned to FC Fredericia (2020–21), where he made 28 appearances and scored 3 goals—earning a spot in TV3 Sport’s team of the year
Return to Midtjylland
- Promoted to the first team; debuted on 16 July 2021 against OB. Totalled 37 appearances and 2 goals in the Danish Superliga
Club Brugge (Belgium)
- Transferred in 2022 for approximately €10 million; contract runs until June 2027
- As of June 2025: 95 league appearances and 4 goals. Integral in Club Brugge’s Belgian Cup win
- Named Club Brugge Player of the Month (April) after netting three goals in playoff matches
International Career
- Nigeria Debut: September 2022 vs Algeria
- Caps/Goals: 16 appearances, 1 goal (as of March 2025).
- Part of the Nigeria squad that finished runner-up at AFCON 2023
- Awarded the national honorific MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) following the team’s AFCON run .
Playing Style & Personal Notes
- Position: Primarily defensive/central midfielder; capable as a box-to-box or deep-lying playmaker. Occasionally covers right midfield or even centre-back .
- Attributes: Known for physicality, aerial strength, speed, ball control, tackle proficiency. Compared by some to Paul Pogba—his idol
- Notable Moment: Scored a memorable Champions League goal against Manchester City, enhancing interest from clubs across Europe
Contract & Market Value
- Earning approximately €683 ,594 per year with Club Brugge (€13,146 weekly)
- Market value soared from around €5 m (2022) to €20–30 m by early 2025
Transfer Speculation
- Strong interest from top European clubs like AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, PSG, Dortmund, Porto, and Premier League clubs including West Ham & Everton .
- AC Milan reportedly made a €18 m offer; Club Brugge reportedly seeking closer to their €24 m valuation
- Player expressed interest in a Premier League move, but prefers development-driven decisions over financial gains
Off the Field
- Charity: Donated a 20-seater bus to Ozalla Football Academy in Onitsha, supporting youth development
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 April 2001, Imo State, Nigeria |
| Height | 1.84 m |
| Position | Midfielder (CDM/CM) |
| Current Club | Club Brugge (#15) |
| Senior Caps/Goals | Midtjylland: 37 (2), Fredericia: 28 (3), Club Brugge: 95 (4) |
| International | 16 caps, 1 goal (Nigeria) |
Final Thoughts
Raphael Onyedika is a dynamic midfield talent on a steep rise. His blend of defensive grit, technical calm, and aerial prowess make him a sought-after asset poised for a major move this summer. A transfer to a top-tier European league seems imminent.