Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem is closing in on a permanent move to Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor, with reports in Turkey and France indicating that a deal is now in its advanced stages. The transfer is expected to bring an end to a difficult chapter for the 29-year-old, whose parent club, Nantes, was relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the season.
According to report Konyaspor are on the brink of finalising a deal that would see Awaziem sign a two-year contract, with the transfer fee expected to be in the region of €1 million. The agreement will reportedly include the option of a third year, further underlining Konyaspor’s intent to build around the experienced centre-back for the long term.
The move, however, is not entirely new territory for Awaziem. He has previously turned out in Turkish football on two separate loan spells, first with Çaykur Rizespor during the second half of the 2018/19 season, where he made 16 league appearances, and later with Alanyaspor in 2021/22, scoring once in 22 outings. As a result, his adaptation to the league and its demands is expected to be relatively smooth.
Awaziem only joined Nantes on a permanent deal ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, signing a three-year contract. However, the club endured a torrid season, finishing 17th in Ligue 1 and suffering relegation to Ligue 2 after a 13-year stay in France’s top flight. Despite the collective struggles, Awaziem was one of the side’s more consistent performers, making 26 league appearances while contributing one goal and two assists from the back.
Following the drop, Nantes have moved to trim their wage bill, and Awaziem, reportedly among the club’s top earners, was unwilling to accept the pay cut that typically accompanies relegation clauses in French football contracts. Consequently, he made his intention to leave known, opening the door for suitors in Turkey to move in.
Konyaspor, for their part, are keen to strengthen a defence that helped the club finish ninth in the Süper Lig last season and reach the final of the Turkish Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Trabzonspor. Meanwhile, Turkish journalist Resat Can Özbudak reported that the club had identified Awaziem as one of their priority summer targets even before formal talks progressed.
The move would extend a growing trend of Nigerian players finding a home in Turkish football this summer. Awaziem would join compatriots such as Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu at Trabzonspor, Kelechi Iheanacho, who has already completed a switch to Bursaspor, and Lesley Ugochukwu, currently on loan at Galatasaray. Should the Konyaspor deal go through, it would mark yet another step in cementing the Süper Lig as a favoured destination for Super Eagles internationals looking for regular football at a competitive level.
With talks reportedly at an advanced stage, both parties are expected to work toward finalising terms before the transfer window closes. Should the deal be completed, Awaziem will link up with Konyaspor ahead of the 2026/27 season, tasked with bringing composure and experience to a backline aiming to improve on last term’s ninth-place finish.
