Victory Akpe Joins FC Basel on Four Year Deal
The 19 year old centre back completes a rapid rise through European football, moving to Switzerland’s second most successful club after just one season in Hungary.
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Victory Akpe has landed at one of Swiss football’s biggest clubs, with FC Basel confirming his signing from Hungarian side Zalaegerszegi TE on a deal running through the summer of 2030.
Basel announced the move on their official channels, welcoming the young Nigerian to the club and wishing him a smooth start to life in Switzerland. Akpe, for his part, said he was eager to settle in quickly, adding that he approaches every match with a maximum effort mentality and treats each game like a final.
Basel technical director Andreas Herrmann pointed to Akpe’s physical presence, aerial strength, and pace as qualities that will add depth and flexibility to the club’s defensive setup, noting he sees clear room for the teenager to keep developing at the club.
Akpe’s route to Basel has been rapid. He moved to Europe in early 2025, joining Lithuanian club FK Banga Gargzdai, where he quickly became a regular starter and gained experience in UEFA Conference League qualifying. That form earned him a switch to Zalaegerszegi TE at the start of this year, where he established himself in the heart of the Hungarian side’s defence before catching Basel’s attention.
Did You Know?
- FC Basel are the second most successful club in Swiss football history, with 21 league titles, behind only Grasshoppers’ 27.
- Akpe’s contract with Basel runs until the summer of 2030.
- He made 32 competitive appearances for FK Banga Gargzdai in Lithuania, including UEFA Conference League qualifying matches.
- At Zalaegerszegi TE, he featured in 16 of the club’s 19 league matches this season.
- Akpe played the full 120 minutes in the Hungarian Cup final, where Zalaegerszegi lost to a late extra-time goal.
- He is 19 years old and has now played in three different European countries within roughly 18 months.
- His move to Basel comes just days after a fellow Nigerian, winger Tahir Maigana, joined Zalaegerszegi TE, the club Akpe is leaving.
