Chibuike Nwaiwu: Crystal Palace linked with move for Trabzonspor’s Nigerian defender

Crystal Palace are being linked with a move for Nigerian centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu, who currently plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey’s Super Lig. The 23-year-old, born in Port Harcourt, is under contract with the Trabzon club until 30 June 2030 but has emerged as a potential target for the Premier League side as they assess defensive options.

Nwaiwu, a right-footed central defender standing at 1.93m, joined Trabzonspor in January 2026 and has quickly established himself in the first team. His form has coincided with silverware in Turkey, as he helped the club win the Turkish Cup in the 2025-26 season, raising his profile beyond the Super Lig.

Valued at around €10 million, Nwaiwu would not be a low-cost addition, and any negotiations are likely to take into account the length of his current deal. Trabzonspor are under no immediate pressure to sell, which could strengthen their position if Palace decide to formalise their interest.

Before moving to Turkey, Nwaiwu had already collected domestic honours, including a Nigerian league title with Enyimba Aba and an Austrian Cup win with Wolfsberger AC in the 2024-25 campaign, a trajectory that has marked him out as a player capable of adapting quickly to new leagues.

For now, Nwaiwu remains a Trabzonspor player with four years left on his contract, and Crystal Palace’s interest is at the rumour stage, with no agreement in place between the clubs.