Raphael Onyedika says he is eager to learn from the achievements of Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha as he begins his journey with Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Super Eagles midfielder recently completed a transfer from Belgian champions Club Brugge, signing a contract that will keep him at the German side until June 2031. He has been handed the No. 25 jersey for the new campaign.
Onyedika joins a list of Nigerian players who have represented Frankfurt over the years, including Jay-Jay Okocha, Henry Isaac, Donald Agu, Nduka Anyanwu and Isaac Ojigwe.
The 24-year-old arrives in Germany after a successful spell in Belgium, where he helped Club Brugge win two league titles, the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup. Earlier in his career, he also celebrated Danish Cup success with FC Midtjylland.
Across his professional career, Onyedika has featured in 268 senior matches and gained valuable European experience, making 24 appearances in the UEFA Champions League over the last three seasons.
At international level, he has earned 26 caps for Nigeria and was part of the Super Eagles squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His performances attracted strong interest from Frankfurt, who pursued his signature throughout the transfer window.
During his official presentation, the midfielder took part in a light-hearted question-and-answer session covering football, music and culture.
When asked what he would ask Okocha if they met, Onyedika said he would want to know what helped the Nigerian legend become such a success during his time at Frankfurt.
Okocha represented the German club between 1992 and 1996, scoring 18 goals in 90 appearances. He remains one of the most admired players to have worn the Frankfurt shirt, thanks to his extraordinary dribbling ability and flair.
One of his most unforgettable moments came in 1993 when he brilliantly outwitted legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn before scoring a stunning goal. Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has previously described it as the greatest goal in Bundesliga history, while Kahn once joked that Okocha’s dazzling skills left him feeling dizzy.
Nearly 30 years later, Onyedika now has the opportunity to build his own legacy at Frankfurt while drawing inspiration from one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers.
The midfielder is expected to make his first appearance during pre-season preparations before Frankfurt begin their DFB-Pokal campaign against St. Tönis 1911/20 on August 21.
