FC Ashdod are being linked with a move for Septemvri Sofia defensive midfielder Victor Ochayi, with the Nigerian’s rising value and unclear contract status fuelling speculation over a possible switch from Bulgaria to Israel.
Reports in Bulgaria and Israel suggest the Ligat ha’Al side are tracking the 24-year-old, who currently plays in the efbet Liga and has seen his market value climb rapidly to €350,000, according to Transfermarkt data. While no fee or agreement has been reported, the lack of publicly available contract expiry details at Septemvri Sofia has led to suggestions he could become available on relatively favourable terms, or even edge towards free-agent status in the near future.
The move is currently rated with an unspecified probability (“?”) on Transfermarkt, underlining that talks, if any, remain at an early and uncertain stage. FC Ashdod are believed to be assessing options in holding midfield, and Ochayi’s profile as a 1.89m ball-winner comfortable using both feet appears to fit that brief.
Born on 2 February 2002 and capped at club level only, Ochayi has built his career through modest but steady steps. After emerging at Ikon Allah FA in Nigeria, he earned a move to Denmark’s Jammerbugt FC before returning to his homeland with Right2Win Sports Academy. From there he joined Septemvri Sofia in January 2024, where his development has accelerated, reflected in a series of market value upgrades from €10,000 in March 2024 to €350,000 by December 2025.
His recent displays in the Bulgarian top flight have drawn particular attention. In a tightly contested league fixture against a fellow efbet Liga side late last year, Septemvri Sofia battled to a narrow scoreline, with Ochayi impressing in the screening role, breaking up play and initiating transitions from deep – the kind of performance that has reportedly alerted foreign scouts.
Still primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder, his ability to operate as a central shield and his physical presence make him an attractive prospect for clubs seeking balance in midfield. For Septemvri Sofia, any sale would represent a significant profit on a player acquired from the Nigerian academy system; for Ashdod, it could be a relatively low-cost way to add upside and resale value.
With no formal bid disclosed and the probability rating yet to move beyond a question mark, this remains a rumour rather than an imminent transfer. Yet if a deal were to materialise, a move to Ligat ha’Al could mark the next step in Ochayi’s upward trajectory, offering a bigger stage to enhance his reputation and test the limits of his potential.
