Libyan club Al-Ittihad have officially completed the signing of Nigerian defensive midfielder Onishi Ogbelo from Tunisian side Esperance Sportive, ending uncertainty surrounding the player’s future.
The move represents another major step in Al-Ittihad’s efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the new football season, with the club adding a player who has experience in one of North Africa’s strongest competitions.
Ogbelo had already agreed a preliminary deal with Al-Ittihad in February, when he committed to joining the Libyan club on a free transfer after the conclusion of his contract with Esperance. However, reports in recent weeks had suggested that the Nigerian midfielder could reconsider the move and potentially withdraw from joining the Libyan league.
Those doubts have now been put to rest after Al-Ittihad confirmed that the agreement had been finalised.
The Nigerian midfielder, whose market value is estimated at approximately €1.2 million by Transfermarkt, becomes the latest addition to a squad aiming to return to the top of Libyan football.
Al-Ittihad announced the arrival of their new player through their official Facebook account, sharing an image of Ogbelo alongside a message welcoming him to the club.
“The eagle flies to Bab Ben Ghashir… Without hesitation, the Nigerian eagle, Ogbelo, chose his destination towards the capital of the country’s leader and ruler.”
The signing makes Ogbelo the third player recruited by Al-Ittihad during the current summer transfer window.
Before completing the Nigerian midfielder’s arrival, the club had already strengthened its squad with the signing of winger Mohamed Al-Tabbal from Al-Suwaihli, the reigning Libyan league champions, as well as Hamza Al-Maqsi from Al-Olympi.
The additions form part of a wider rebuilding effort by Al-Ittihad’s management as they prepare for the upcoming campaign under experienced Tunisian coach Fawzi Al-Banzarti.
Al-Ittihad, who are the most successful club in Libyan league history with 18 championship titles, are seeking to reclaim domestic dominance after being without the league trophy for five years.
The club believes the arrival of experienced players such as Ogbelo can provide the quality and stability required to compete for honours again.
The Nigerian midfielder is expected to bring defensive strength, physical presence and experience gained from competing in major African football environments. His previous spell with Esperance gave him exposure to high-level domestic and continental competition, which Al-Ittihad hope will benefit their ambitions.
With the new season approaching, the club’s supporters are expecting the latest recruitment campaign to help deliver a return to winning ways.
The management’s objective is clear: build a squad capable of challenging for the Libyan Premier League title and satisfy fans who have been waiting several seasons to see the club lift the championship trophy again.
Ogbelo’s arrival marks another important part of that plan as Al-Ittihad continue preparing for a new challenge in Libyan football.
