Tochukwu Nnadi: How many Nigerians have played for Olympique de Marseille?

Tochukuwu Nnadi, Olympique de Marseille. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Olympique Marseille have completed the signing of Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi from Belgian side Zulte Waregem in a €6 million deal on the winter transfer deadline day, Soccernet.ng reports.

While the move to the French top-flight league is a big career boost for the 22-year-old, he’ll be looking to stamp himself straight into Roberto De Zerbi’s team in their quest to seal a top-four finish in Ligue 1.

Nnadi has already revealed he’s looking forward to getting started at the Velodrome and is set to become the 5th Nigerian to have played for the one-time UEFA Champions League winners.

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1. Victor Agali

A household name in Nigeria for typically tall people, a 1.93m tall Agali joined Marseille from NITEL Lagos in 1996, but struggled to break into the first team.

He played just six games for Marseille, scoring zero goals before joining Sporting Toulon Var and subsequently moving to Germany, where he played for Hansa Rostock and Schalke 04.

2. Joseph Yobo

One of three players to cross the 100-game mark for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Joseph Yobo took a big leap from Standard Liege to join Marseille in 2001.

He played 24 games in his debut season before joining Everton on loan in 2002. The move became a permanent one a year later.

3. Taye Taiwo

Arguably the greatest Super Eagles left-back of all time, Taye Ismaila Taiwo was a force in his time with the French club, scoring 25 goals and providing 23 assists in 271 games for Les Phocéens.

Taye Taiwo also won the Ligue once, the Coupe de la Ligue twice, the French Super Cup once, and the UEFA Intertoto Cup twice.

4. Wilson Oruma

Oruma joined Marseille six months after Taye Taiwo’s arrival. The duo played 79 games together in their time at the club before Oruma joined EA Guingamp three years later.

The winger scored seven goals in 90 games across all competitions at the Velodrome.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.

With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.