Nigerian forward Salim Fago Lawal has sealed a move to Czech giants Viktoria Plzeň, marking a significant step in his rapidly rising career in Europe.
The 23-year-old attacker has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Central European club and will don the number 70 shirt. While Viktoria Plzeň have kept the transfer fee under wraps, sources close to the deal indicate the agreement includes a guaranteed €2.4 million, with performance-related bonuses that could push the total package to around €3 million.
Lawal arrives from Croatian outfit NK Istra 1961 after an outstanding campaign in which he netted 15 goals and provided two assists, drawing attention from clubs beyond Croatia. His pace, movement, and finishing made him one of the standout attackers in the league.
He first came into the international spotlight at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and his steady rise afterward was rewarded with a call-up to the Super Eagles for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished on the podium with a third-place result.
During the competition, Lawal saw action in the group-stage clash against Uganda and had earlier featured in Nigeria’s build-up friendly versus Egypt, underlining his flexibility in attack, with the ability to play through the middle or from either wing.
The move to Viktoria Plzeň offers Lawal a chance to test himself at a higher competitive level, with opportunities to feature in European competitions and further strengthen his place in the national team setup. For the Nigerian striker, it is another important chapter in what is shaping up to be a promising international career.
