Nigeria midfielder Israel Isaac Ayuma has joined Portuguese club Maritimo from Croatia’s NK Istra on a loan deal running until 30 June 2027.

The 20-year-old central midfielder completed the move on 2 August 2026, switching from the SuperSport HNL to Liga Portugal. His transfer places him at a club competing in Portugal’s top division, while his registration remains connected to Istra beyond the end of the loan.

Ayuma joined Istra’s senior set-up after moving from the club’s Under-19 team on 1 July 2024. He had initially arrived at Istra 1961 U19 from Mavlon on 11 August 2023, making the Croatian club the first senior pathway recorded in his career.

Born in Orhuwhorun, Nigeria, Ayuma stands at 1.85m and operates primarily in central midfield. He will now continue his career in Portugal after three years within Istra’s system, with the loan agreement scheduled to conclude at the end of June 2027.

Maritimo’s move comes at the beginning of the 2026-27 season. Ayuma joined the Portuguese club on 2 August, and the transfer records show his return to NK Istra at the end of the loan period.

The move is the latest step in Ayuma’s progression from Mavlon to youth football in Croatia and then into a senior-club environment. His previous spell at Istra preceded the switch to Maritimo, giving him a new league in which to continue his development as a central midfielder.

Ayuma has signed for Maritimo on loan from NK Istra until 30 June 2027.