Nigerian Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi Joins Italian Serie D Club Acireale

Veteran midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has signed with Italian Serie D club SSD Città di Acireale 1946, bringing experience and leadership to the Sicilian side. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder joined the club on July 23, 2025, with his contract set to run until June 30, 2026. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Onazi returns to Italy, where he made his mark with Lazio, recording 76 appearances and scoring four goals. He was a key figure in Lazio’s 2013 Coppa Italia victory, starting in the final against Roma.

Following his time at Lazio, Onazi played for clubs across Europe and Asia, including Trabzonspor—where he won the Turkish Cup in 2020—Denizlispor, Zalgiris Vilnius, Casertana, Avezzano, and most recently, Charlotte Independence in USL League One earlier in 2025.

On the international stage, Onazi earned over 50 caps for Nigeria. He was a crucial part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and participated in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. His last appearance for the national team came in September 2018 in an AFCON qualifier against Seychelles.

Acireale, who compete in Group I of Serie D, are expected to benefit from Onazi’s experience as they aim for a strong campaign in Italy’s fourth tier.