Chidozie Awaziem is a tall, experienced centre-back whose career has taken him from a Nigerian academy to Porto, across Europe and even to Major League Soccer. A Champions League performer in his Porto days, the Enugu-born defender has returned to Nantes as a seasoned Super Eagles option, valued for his aerial strength and adaptability across defensive roles.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chidozie Collins Awaziem |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Date of Birth | 1 January 1997 |
| Latest club | FC Nantes |
| League | Ligue 1 (FRA) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Market value | €2.00m |
Playing style: A physical, adaptable defender
Standing around 1.90m, Awaziem is a strong, versatile defender comfortable at centre-back or right-back.
- 📏 Aerial strength: Uses his height to dominate in both penalty areas.
- 🔀 Versatility: Can slot in at centre-back or right-back as required.
- 💪 Physicality: Strong in duels and difficult to shift off the ball.
- 🧠 Experience: Years across multiple leagues have made him a composed, streetwise defender.
- 🛡️ Reliability: A dependable squad presence who slots into a back line with minimal fuss.
Career: From Enugu to Porto and beyond
Awaziem’s journey began in Nigeria before FC Porto took him to Portugal, launching a globe-trotting career punctuated by loans across Europe and a spell in the United States.
Nigerian roots and a Porto education
Awaziem came through El Kanemi Warriors in Nigeria before joining Porto in 2014. He progressed from the B team to the first squad, featuring in the Champions League as Porto knocked Real Madrid out of the competition and winning a Portuguese Super Cup.
First-team chances came in bursts, and Awaziem was loaned widely — to Nantes, Rizespor, Leganés and others — gaining experience across different leagues and styles before seeking a permanent home.
Boavista, MLS and a Nantes return
Awaziem became a record signing for Boavista, anchoring their Primeira Liga defence for several seasons and adding a loan spell at Hajduk Split, where he won the Croatian Cup. In 2024 he tried Major League Soccer with FC Cincinnati and later Colorado Rapids.
In July 2025 he returned to Ligue 1 with Nantes, the club where he had spent a formative loan years earlier, re-establishing himself in a familiar league as a dependable defensive option.
| Team (Appea.) | Goals |
|---|---|
| FC Porto (28) | 1 |
| Boavista (75) | 3 |
| FC Cincinnati (25) | 1 |
| FC Nantes (27) | 1 |
Super Eagles: A long-serving squad defender
Awaziem has represented Nigeria since 2017 and has passed 30 caps. He has been a useful, versatile presence in the Super Eagles’ defensive ranks across several campaigns.
He was part of the squad at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and returned for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, where Nigeria recovered from a semi-final defeat to finish third. His flexibility across the back line keeps him in the selection picture.
| Competition (Stage) | MP (Goal) |
|---|---|
| AFCON 2021 (Round of 16) | 2 (0) |
| AFCON 2025 (Third place) | 3 (0) |
Clubs journey: Portugal, Europe and America
Few defenders have travelled as widely as Awaziem, whose career has spanned Portugal, France, Turkey, Spain, Croatia and the United States. Adaptability has been his defining trait.
Back at Nantes in Ligue 1, the experienced Nigerian continues to offer defensive reliability and leadership drawn from a decade of football across three continents.
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 2015–2021 | FC Porto |
| 2021–2024 | Boavista |
| 2024 | FC Cincinnati |
| 2025 | Colorado Rapids |
| 2025–Present | FC Nantes |