Belgian club KAA Gent have officially announced the departure of Nigerian international Jordan Torunarigha at the end of the 2024/25 season. The towering centre back’s contract expired this month, marking the end of a transformative three and a half year spell with the Jupiler Pro League side.
Torunarigha, who joined Gent permanently in the summer of 2022 following an impressive loan stint from Hertha Berlin, quickly became a defensive cornerstone. His contributions included 145 appearances and a key role in the club’s 2022 Belgian Cup triumph.
Born in Germany, the 26 year old defender switched his international allegiance to Nigeria and earned his first cap for the Super Eagles in 2023. In his farewell message, Torunarigha thanked the club and its fans for what he called “intense years” that helped shape both his football and personal journey.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the defender has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, with his next destination eagerly anticipated.
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Editorial
Jordan Torunarigha’s departure from Gent is more than a routine contract expiration it’s the closing of a chapter that saw the player evolve from a Bundesliga loanee to a respected figure in Belgian football. For both player and club, the parting appears amicable, respectful, and rich in mutual appreciation.
Gent should be applauded for the trust they placed in a player with plenty of potential but limited top-level consistency before his arrival. Torunarigha repaid that trust with dedication and steel in defence, becoming a fixture in the starting lineup and helping deliver the club a prized Belgian Cup.
But perhaps the most significant chapter in this story was his decision to represent Nigeria. In choosing the Super Eagles over continued hopes of a Germany call up, Torunarigha embraced his heritage with conviction. Although he has only one cap so far, he remains an asset in a position Nigeria continues to rebuild with urgency.
As he now looks to the future, there is a sense that Torunarigha is entering his prime. At 26, with European experience and a solid frame built for modern defending, he is ready for a new challenge—perhaps in a bigger league or a team competing in Europe.
The Super Eagles will be watching. So should we.
Did You Know?
- Jordan Torunarigha made his professional debut for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga in 2017.
- His father, Ojokojo Torunarigha, was also a professional footballer who played for Nigerian clubs and later in Germany.
- Torunarigha was part of Germany’s squad at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics before switching allegiance to Nigeria.
- The Belgian Cup win in 2022 was Gent’s first major trophy in seven years.
- At Gent, Torunarigha often partnered fellow African defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui at centre-back, forming one of the league’s most reliable duo
