Kingsley Ehizibue: Former Udinese and Cologne right-back linked with Valencia move

Netherlands-Nigeria defender Kingsley Ehizibue, currently without a club after leaving Udinese, is being linked with a move to LaLiga side Valencia. The 31-year-old right-back became a free agent on 1 July 2026 following the end of his spell in Serie A and is understood to be under consideration as Valencia look to add experience to their defensive options.

Ehizibue, born in Munich and standing at 1.89m, has built a career across three of Europe’s major leagues, featuring at right-back throughout. He arrived at Udinese from Bundesliga club 1. FC Koln in August 2022 for a reported €1.5m fee, having previously moved to Cologne from PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie in 2019.

With a current market valuation of around €2m, Ehizibue represents a low-cost option in the summer market and would be available without a transfer fee. His top-flight experience is substantial, with more than 100 appearances in both the Eredivisie and Serie A and a further 69 outings in the Bundesliga, underlining a sustained run at the highest level in multiple countries.

Ehizibue’s most productive spell came in the Netherlands, where he recorded eight goals and 15 assists in 122 Eredivisie matches for PEC Zwolle, form that first earned him his move to Germany. A right-footed full-back, he has also featured in domestic cup competitions in Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as in European qualifying rounds.

For now, the defender remains unattached as he assesses his options, with interest from Valencia emerging as one of the most prominent possibilities for his next move.