Slovenian top-tier club NK Celje have officially signed Super Eagles midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha on a three-year contract from Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Niger Tornadoes.
The move was confirmed in a statement published on the club’s website:
“Celje Football Club announces that it has reached an agreement with the Nigerian Premier League club Niger Tornadoes for the transfer of defensive midfielder Papa Daniel. The 23-year-old Nigerian international has signed a contract with NK Celje until 30.6.2028.”
The announcement ends weeks of transfer speculation, especially following Mustapha’s notable absence from the home-based Super Eagles camp preparing for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
A talented and combative left-footed midfielder, Mustapha is expected to join his new teammates ahead of the 2025/26 season. However, he is not expected to be involved in Celje’s UEFA Europa League second-round qualifying fixture against AEK Larnaca at Stadion Z’dežele on Thursday.
Mustapha began his football journey with Fackson Nextpro Football Academy and later made a move to Turkish side Adanaspor. After a season abroad, he returned to Nigeria and joined Sporting Supreme FC, where his standout performances caught national attention.
His impressive form earned him a switch to Niger Tornadoes, where he became an integral player and featured regularly in the home-based Super Eagles squad. His rise through the ranks eventually led to a senior national team call-up, underlining his growing stature in Nigerian football.
