Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-rated young midfielder Francis Onyeka is on the verge of a season-long loan move to VfL Bochum in a bid to secure regular first-team football.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who has spent his entire youth career at Leverkusen since joining in 2014, has struggled to break into the senior squad due to stiff competition from established stars like Florian Wirtz, Amine Adli, and Jonas Hofmann. Despite making his senior debut in both the UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal, Onyeka has found minutes hard to come by.
With Xabi Alonso departing for Real Madrid and Leverkusen undergoing a squad overhaul, the club sees a temporary move as the best step for Onyeka’s development. According to Werkself Xtra, Bochum is close to finalizing the deal, giving the teenager a chance to prove himself in the Bundesliga.
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Onyeka, who still has two years left on his Leverkusen contract, could be offered an extension before leaving—or the club may wait to assess his performances at Bochum before making a decision on his long-term future.
Born in Germany to Nigerian parents, Onyeka has represented Germany at U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-18 levels. However, he remains eligible to switch allegiance to Nigeria, having not yet played for Germany’s senior team.
Francis Onyeka(Getty Images)
With the Super Eagles always on the lookout for emerging talents, Onyeka’s progress at Bochum could attract interest from Nigerian football authorities. A strong loan spell might not only boost his club career but also give him a crucial decision to make regarding his international future.
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If the loan move materialises, Onyeka will aim to make an immediate impact at Bochum, a club known for giving young players opportunities. For Leverkusen, this could be a win-win—either integrating him into their first team later or increasing his market value.
For now, all eyes will be on whether this promising midfielder can seize his chance and potentially open the door to an international career with Nigeria.
