FC Nantes has announced the permanent signing of Nigerian defender Chidozie Awaziem from Colorado Rapids for an undisclosed fee. The Super Eagles defender signed a three-year contract with the Ligue 1 side, ending his stint in the Major League Soccer.
According to reports, Chidozie Awaziem opted for a return to the French top-flight for familial reasons, as his family members are based in Europe, outside America.
Chidozie signed for the Colorado Rapids in December 2024, joining from fellow MLS Club FC Cincinnati. He registered 21 appearances across all competitions for The Pids and featured regularly for the club in the MLS regular season and CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The 28-year-old defender is no stranger to Nantes, having spent the 2017/2018 season on loan at the Stade de la Beaujoire, but the French Club opted against signing the youthful Chidozie permanently at the time. Now mature, massively experienced, and well-rounded, The Canaries re-signed him to strengthen their ranks ahead of the new Ligue 1 season, and for him choosing them was a no-brainer. He will wear the number 6 jersey.
A senior international for the Nigerian National Football team, Chidozie debuted for the Super Eagles in 2017 against South Africa and has gone on to make 33 appearances for the side. He was a member of the Nigerian team that finished as runners-up to the Champions, the Ivory Coast, at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chidozie Awaziem, a proud product of El Kanemi Warriors, made his professional debut with FC Porto in 2017 and has represented many clubs across Europe and the United States.
Nantes has another Nigerian international in its ranks again, following the departure of Moses Simon to Paris FC earlier in the transfer window. Bonne Chance Chido!
