David Okereke: Free-agent Nigeria striker linked with Sampdoria move

Nigeria centre-forward David Okereke, currently a free agent after leaving Italian side US Cremonese, is being linked with a move to Serie B club Sampdoria.

The 28-year-old, born in Lagos and standing at 1.81m, became unattached on 1 July 2026 following the expiry of his deal at Cremonese, with Transfermarkt listing his current market value at 1.40m. Sampdoria are reported to be exploring the possibility of signing him on a free transfer, though the probability of the move remains unclear and is currently marked as ?.

Okereke spent last season back at Cremonese following a loan spell at Turkish Super Lig outfit Gaziantep FK in 2024-25, a move which itself followed a loan to Torino in early 2024. His most recent competitive action came during that stint in Turkiye, where he featured in league fixtures for Gaziantep, including a difficult away outing against top-flight opposition however, specific match data such as opponents, scorelines and contributions have not been detailed in the available records.

A right-footed centre-forward who can operate across the front line, Okereke has built a career largely in Italy and Belgium. After arriving in Europe from Abuja Football College in 2015, he progressed via USD Lavagnese 1919 and Spezias youth side before breaking through at Spezia, earning a high-profile transfer to Club Brugge in 2019. Spells at Venezia, Cremonese, Torino and Gaziantep have since followed.

His market value once peaked at 11m during his early days at Club Brugge but has gradually declined to 1.40m as of May 2026, reflecting an inconsistent period in front of goal and frequent loan moves. Even so, his experience in Serie A, Serie B, the Belgian Pro League and the Turkish Super Lig makes him an attractive low-risk option for clubs shopping in the free-agent market.

Should Sampdoria formalise their interest and secure a deal, a return to Italys second tier would give Okereke the platform to re-establish his reputation in a familiar environment and determine the direction of the next phase of his career.