Ilenikhena Surpasses Mikel Obi to Become Nigeria’s Most Expensive Teenage Transfer

Ilenikhena Surpasses Mikel Obi to Become Nigeria’s Most Expensive Teenage Transfer

By BSN Sports 

George Ilenikhena has etched his name into Nigerian football history after completing a record-breaking transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, becoming the most expensive Nigerian teenager ever, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 19-year-old forward’s move from AS Monaco is reportedly worth €30 million, surpassing the long-standing benchmark set by John Mikel Obi, whose €20 million transfer from Norwegian side Lyn to Chelsea during the 2006/07 season previously stood as the highest fee paid for a Nigerian teenager.

Monaco confirmed the transfer on Tuesday, paying tribute to Ilenikhena’s contribution during his time at the club.

“The club thanks George for his commitment and wishes him every success in the next chapter of his career,” the Ligue 1 side said in a statement.

Ilenikhena joined Monaco in the summer of 2024 and went on to make 51 appearances for the Red and White, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists across all competitions.

According to Transfermarkt data, his €30 million move also eclipses other notable teenage transfers involving Nigerian players, including Honest Ahanor’s €17 million switch to Atalanta in the 2025/26 season. Ilenikhena’s own €18.75 million transfer from Royal Antwerp to Monaco had previously placed him among the top five Nigerian teenage transfers.

Several Nigerian players have completed high-profile moves while still teenagers, including Ademola Lookman (€8.8 million to Everton), Suleman Sani (€5 million to RB Leipzig), Ahmed Musa (€5 million to CSKA Moscow), Uchenna Ogundu (€4.5 million to Augsburg) and Akinkunmi Amoo (€4.3 million to FC Copenhagen).

Although Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen secured major transfers early in their careers, both players were already 20 years old at the time of their moves—€27.7 million from Manchester City to Leicester City for Iheanacho in 2017, and €22.4 million from Charleroi to Lille for Osimhen—excluding them from the teenage category.

Beyond topping Nigeria’s teenage transfer chart, Ilenikhena’s move places him fifth on the list of the most expensive Nigerian players of all time, behind Victor Osimhen (€78.9 million to Napoli and €75 million to Galatasaray), Ademola Lookman (€35 million to Atlético Madrid) and Alex Iwobi (€30.4 million to Everton).

Born in Lagos, Ilenikhena relocated to France at the age of three and began his football journey with amateur club Antony Football Evolution before joining Amiens ahead of the 2021/22 season. He made his senior debut for Amiens in November 2022 during a Coupe de France fixture and moved to Belgian champions Royal Antwerp in June 2023.

His rapid development continued following his transfer to Monaco in July 2024, where he showcased his versatility and goal-scoring ability in Ligue 1.

Ilenikhena has also made a significant mark on the European stage. On January 21, 2026, he surpassed Nwankwo Kanu to become the youngest African player to reach 15 UEFA Champions League appearances, achieving the feat at 19 years and 157 days. He first drew widespread attention in the competition with a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in December 2023.