Olawale Onanuga: Nigeria midfielder leaves Kapaz and becomes a free agent

Nigeria defensive midfielder Olawale Onanuga has left Azerbaijani side Kapaz PFK and become a free agent after his contract with the Premyer Liqa club came to an end. The 28-year-old, who was born in Lagos, departs Kapaz with his market value listed at around €300,000.

Onanuga, a right-footed holding midfielder standing at 1.80m, first joined Kapaz in July 2023 and returned there in August 2025 after a brief spell away. His latest stint in Azerbaijan followed a free transfer move from Israeli side Bnei Yehuda, where he had spent part of the 2024-25 campaign.

During his time in the Premyer Liqa and earlier in Albania’s Kategoria Superiore, Onanuga built a reputation as a durable presence in front of the back four. Across league and cup competitions in those countries, he amassed well over 100 senior appearances, including 55 league games in Azerbaijan alone with three goals and one assist.

Before heading to Azerbaijan, Onanuga had established himself in Albania with KS Kastrioti, earning a move there in September 2021 and going on to feature regularly in the Kategoria Superiore. That consistency helped pave the way for subsequent moves across Europe and the Middle East, including a stint with Al-Nasr SC.

Onanuga, who turned 28 in December, now leaves Kapaz as a free agent following the conclusion of his most recent contract and is available for a new club ahead of the coming season.