George Ilenikhena transfer record sees the Nigerian teen join Al-Ittihad for €30m, surpassing Mikel Obi as the most expensive teenager

George Ilenikhena has etched his name in Nigerian football history after completing a record-breaking transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, surpassing Mikel Obi to become the most expensive Nigerian teenager ever.

Also read: Maduka Okoye Hails Udinese Grit After Roma Win

The 19-year-old forward, who spent one season at AS Monaco, made 51 appearances for the French club, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists.

Monaco confirmed the move on Tuesday, thanking Ilenikhena for his commitment and wishing him success in the next stage of his career.

Ilenikhena’s transfer to Al-Ittihad is reportedly worth €30 million, eclipsing Mikel Obi’s €20 million move from Lyn to Chelsea in 2006/07, which had long stood as the benchmark for Nigerian teenage transfers.

The deal also surpasses Honest Ahanor’s €17 million switch to Atalanta in 2025/26.

Prior to this record, Ilenikhena’s €18.75 million move from Royal Antwerp to Monaco had already ranked him among Nigeria’s elite teenage transfers.

Other notable young Nigerians include Ademola Lookman (€8.8m to Everton), Suleman Sani (€5m to RB Leipzig), Ahmed Musa (€5m to CSKA Moscow), Uchenna Ogundu (€4.5m to Augsburg), and Akinkunmi Amoo (€4.3m to Copenhagen).

While Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen made high-value moves at young ages, both were already 20 when they transferred—€27.7m from Manchester City to Leicester City for Iheanacho and €22.4m from Charleroi to Lille for Osimhen—meaning they do not feature on the teenage list.

Ilenikhena’s record-breaking move also places him fifth on the all-time list of most expensive Nigerian players, behind Victor Osimhen (€78.9m to Napoli and €75m to Galatasaray), Ademola Lookman (€35m to Atletico Madrid), and Alex Iwobi (€30.4m to Everton).

Born in Lagos, Ilenikhena moved to France at the age of three and began his football journey with Antony Football Evolution before joining Amiens ahead of the 2021/22 season.

He made his senior debut in a Coupe de France tie in November 2022, before moving to Royal Antwerp in June 2023 and joining Monaco in July 2024.

Ilenikhena has also made his mark internationally, breaking Nwankwo Kanu’s UEFA Champions League record on January 21, 2026, as the youngest African player to reach 15 appearances in the competition at 19 years and 157 days.

Also read: Maduka Okoye Hails Udinese Grit After Roma Win

He had previously announced himself with a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in December 2023.