French Ligue 1 side Nantes have signed Nigerian international Chidozie Awaziem from Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids. The 27-year-old centre-back has joined the Yellow and Green on a three-year contract, marking his return to the club where he previously impressed during a loan spell in the 2017/18 campaign.
Awaziem, who began his career at El Kanemi Warriors in Nigeria, burst onto the European scene after joining FC Porto’s youth setup in 2014. He made his senior debut in 2016 and has since played for several clubs, including Rizespor and Alanyaspor in Turkey, Leganés in Spain, Hajduk Split in Croatia, and Boavista in Portugal.
Awaziem’s return to Nantes is a homecoming for the player, who previously played 23 matches for the club and scored once. “When the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t hesitate for a single second to come back, because for me, Nantes is like home,” Awaziem said. “The people are lovely, the club is great, and I was really looking forward to returning to this environment.”
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Awaziem is eager to help Nantes achieve its goals and compete at the highest level. “From a sporting perspective, I want to do everything I can to help the Club achieve its goals, win trophies, compete at the highest level against the best teams and bring FC Nantes back to the top,” he said.
Awaziem has earned 34 caps for Nigeria and represented the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He made his debut for Nigeria in 2017 in a high-profile AFCON qualifier against South Africa.
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Awaziem’s signing is a significant boost for Nantes, who will be looking to rebuild after a transitional summer. His aerial dominance, physicality, and improving distribution will be crucial in the team’s defensive setup.
Chidozie Awaziem in action for Cincinnati FC
With the Ligue 1 just weeks away from kicking off, Nantes will be hoping their returning Nigerian warrior can help restore solidity at the back and possibly reignite the club’s aspirations for European competition. Awaziem becomes only the third Nigerian to don the Nantes jersey, following in the footsteps of Moses Simon and former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia. Simon recently departed Nantes after six seasons, during which he became the club’s all-time assist leader.
