Ogenyi Onazi leaves Babrungas to become free agent after contract expiry

Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has left Lithuanian side Babrungas and become a free agent after his contract with the I Lyga club ended on 8 July 2026.

The 33-year-old defensive midfielder rejoined Babrungas in March 2026 following a spell without a club and now departs again as he considers the next step in a career that has taken in top-flight football in Italy, Turkey and elsewhere in Europe and beyond.

Onazi, who was born in Jos and stands at 1.73m, built his reputation during four seasons with Lazio, where he progressed from the under-19s into the first team in 2012. He went on to make 76 Serie A appearances for the Rome club, scoring four goals and adding five assists, and featured in their Coppa Italia-winning campaign in 2012-13.

A move to Trabzonspor in 2016 for 3.5 million brought further success. Onazi played 78 times in the Turkish Super Lig, scoring six goals, and was part of the Trabzonspor side that lifted the Turkish Cup in 2019-20. Subsequent spells included stints with Denizlispor and SonderjyskE before moves to clubs in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Italys lower divisions, the United States and Lithuania.

Onazi has also enjoyed success at international level, winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013. At club level he became a Lithuanian league and cup winner with FK Zalgiris Vilnius in 2021.

The midfielder is now unattached following the completion of his latest deal at Babrungas.