Championship club Sunderland have confirmed the permanent departure of former Flying Eagles striker Ahmed Abdullahi, who has joined Turkish Super Lig side Eyüpspor in search of regular first team football.
The 22-year-old Nigerian has signed a two-year contract with the Istanbul based club, with the agreement including an option to extend his stay by a further year.
Sunderland announced the transfer on Monday, bringing an end to Abdullahi’s brief but frustrating spell at the Stadium of Light.
“Sunderland AFC can confirm Ahmed Abdullahi has joined Eyüpspor.
“The Nigerian striker, who joined Sunderland from Belgian side Gent in August 2024, has put pen to paper on a permanent contract with the Turkish club.
“Everyone at Sunderland wishes Ahmed all the best as he continues his career in Turkey,” the club said in a statement.
Ahmed Abdullahi has now played for clubs in Nigeria, Belgium, England and Turkey, with Eyüpspor becoming the fourth club of his professional career as he looks to reignite his development.
Abdullahi arrived at Sunderland from Belgian club Gent in August 2024 as one of Nigeria’s promising young forwards, but persistent injury problems prevented him from making a competitive senior appearance for the Black Cats.
Despite his fitness struggles, the former Flying Eagles striker was included in Sunderland’s matchday squads for domestic cup fixtures against Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup and Port Vale in the FA Cup, although he was unable to make his long-awaited debut.
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The move to Eyüpspor offers the Nigerian forward a fresh opportunity to relaunch his career in Turkey’s topflight, where he will be hoping to enjoy an injury free campaign and fulfil the promise that made him one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking prospects at youth level.
For Sunderland, the transfer marks the end of a move that never fully materialized due to the player’s injury setbacks, while Eyüpspor will hope Abdullahi can rediscover the form that earned him recognition with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles.
