Raphael Onyedika Nwadike, born on April 19, 2001, is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a midfielder. He is 23 years old and was born in Imo State, Nigeria.
Raphael stands 1.84 meters tall, which is about 6 feet, and currently plays for the Belgian football club, Club Brugge, and also represents the Nigeria national team. Raphael Onyedika is known for his skills on the field and is an important player for both his club and country.
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Raphael Onyedika Club Career:
Raphael Onyedika started his football career playing street football. When he was 15 years old, he joined the academy of F.C. Ebedei. This was an important step for him as it was the beginning of his professional football training.
After spending three years at F.C. Ebedei, Onyedika moved to Denmark to join the academy of FC Midtjylland, which is connected to F.C. Ebedei. This move happened shortly after he turned 18.
During his first full season at FC Midtjylland, Onyedika performed very well in the U19 League and the UEFA Youth League. His strong physique, speed, and unique playing style stood out.
Because of his impressive performance, the club decided to sign him to his first professional contract. This contract was for five years, running until June 2025, and was signed on July 1, 2020.
To help him gain more experience, FC Midtjylland loaned Onyedika to FC Fredericia, a team in the Danish 1st Division, on August 19, 2020. He was supposed to stay with Fredericia for the whole 2020-2021 season.
During this time, Onyedika played 28 games and scored three goals. His performance was so good that he was named in TV3 Sport’s team of the year for the Danish 1st Division.
In the summer of 2021, Onyedika returned to FC Midtjylland and was promoted to the first-team squad. He made his official debut for the first team on July 16, 2021, in a match against Odense Boldklub.
This was the opening game of the 2021-2022 Danish Superliga season. Onyedika was in the starting line-up and played the entire game. On August 28, 2022, Onyedika made another big move in his career. He signed a five-year contract with Club Brugge, a top team in Belgium.
Raphael Onyedika International Career:
Raphael Onyedika’s journey with the Nigeria national football team started in September 2022 when he received his first call-up from coach José Peseiro. This was the beginning of his international appearances.
On September 27, 2022, Raphael made his debut for Nigeria in a friendly match against Algeria, having replaced Frank Onyeka.
Unfortunately, Nigeria lost the match with a final score of 2-1, but this game was a valuable experience for Raphael as he started his international career.
Raphael’s hard work and performance caught the attention of the national team selectors. His initial appearance was just the beginning, and he continued to work hard to secure his place in the team.
And, his determination and skills on the field paid off when he was once again selected by coach José Peseiro. On December 29, 2023, Raphael Onyedika was named among the 25 players chosen to represent Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Africa Cup of Nations is a major tournament, and being part of the squad is a great honor for any player. It provides a platform to compete at a high level and gain more international experience.
Raphael Onyedika’s international career is still in its early stages, but he has already shown promise and potential. Being selected for important matches and tournaments mirrors his talent and the trust that the coaching staff has in him.
As he continues to play and gain experience, Raphael aims to make a notable impact and help Nigeria achieve success on the international stage.
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Raphael Onyedika Market Value:
Raphael Onyedika’s current market value is €10.00 million as of June 4, 2024. The highest market value he ever reached was €13.00 million on November 4, 2022.
This shows that while his value has decreased since then, he is still considered a valuable player. Regardless of the drop from his peak value, Onyedika remains a fantastic player with a strong market presence.
Raphael Onyedika Honours:
Club Brugge Achievements
- Belgian Pro League Champion: 2023–24 Season
Nigeria National Team
- Africa Cup of Nations Runner-Up: 2023
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.