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Onyekuru in, Emenalo out – Changing Nigeria influence at Monaco

The 22-year-old continues a trend of Nigerians at the French club, and is a return to form for Leonardo Jardim's side in the transfer market

Considering the size of Monaco – the Principality has a population under 40,000 people – it is remarkable how much of an influence it has had on Nigerian football in the last quarter of a century.

On Monday, the football club AS Monaco announced the signing of Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru, but not before first teasing the reveal with a reference to former striker Victor Ikpeba.

Nicknamed the ‘Prince of Monaco’, the former Africa Footballer of the Year was a fearsome, streaking forward for Les Monegasques over a span of six years at the club, scoring just under a goal every three games over 170 appearances and leading an impressive run to the semi-final of the 1996/97 Uefa Cup.