Taiwo Abdulrafiu: Nigerian left-back joins Azam FC from Rivers United in confirmed move

Azam FC have signed Nigerian defender Taiwo Abdulrafiu from Rivers United, with the left-back completing a move to the Tanzanian club ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

The 24-year-old, who stands at 1.90m and plays primarily at left-back, leaves Rivers United after a two-year spell and links up with Azam FC following the formalisation of the transfer on 23 July 2026. The deal comes at a time when his market value is listed at €125,000.

Abdulrafiu heads to Tanzania after building his career in Nigerian football, where he has steadily climbed the domestic ladder. He joined Rivers United from Sunshine Stars in August 2024, having earlier moved to Sunshine from Bayelsa in September 2023. Prior to that, he made the switch to Bayelsa from Crown FC in December 2022.

A left-footed defender, Abdulrafiu has operated consistently on the left side of the back line during his rise through the Nigerian Professional Football League, earning successive moves between clubs in his home country before taking this latest step abroad.

Abdulrafiu’s transfer to Azam FC marks his first move outside Nigeria and sees him link up with the Tanzanian outfit as their latest defensive signing.