Top five Nigerian scorers in Europe in 2024

Nigerian footballers performed remarkably well with their respective clubs in 2024, with some of them even going on to win league titles and European trophies.

The Guardian reviews the top five Super Eagles goal scorers at the club level in the past year as the players continue to make Nigeria proud on the global stage.

Cyriel Dessers (Rangers – 54 games/25 goals)

Cyriel Dessers played more games than his compatriots on this list, with the Nigerian striker making a total of 54 appearances across all competitions for Glasgow Rangers.

The 30-year-old had been busy from the second day of the year, providing an assist in their 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in a league game before grabbing his first goal of the year 18 days later.

The striker scored in Rangers’ 4-1 win over Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup. Dessers ended 2024 with 25 goals and eight assists in 54 appearances for the Gers.

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta – 43 games/22 goals)

Ademola Lookman, without a doubt, had the best year of his professional football career in 2024, contributing significantly to Atalanta’s return to the UEFA Champions League.

Lookman had a sensational year, scoring 22 goals for Atalanta and helping Nigeria secure a silver medal at the 2023 African Cup of Nations after losing the final 2-1 to host nation Ivory Coast.

His Europa League hat-trick, a historic feat, was a highlight of the year, as was his 14th-place finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings. The Nigerian was also crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2024.

His goals helped Atalanta win their second major trophy in their 117-year history, making him just the sixth player to score a hat-trick in a major European final and the first since 1975.

The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward, despite not