Onyedika Banks on Okocha’s Frankfurt Legacy

New Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Raphael Onyedika says he hopes to learn from the legacy of Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha as he begins his career with the Bundesliga club.

The Super Eagles midfielder recently completed a move from Belgian champions Club Brugge, signing a five-year contract that will keep him at Frankfurt until June 2031. He has been handed the No. 25 shirt as he prepares for a new chapter in Germany.

Onyedika joins a list of Nigerians who have represented the club over the years, including Okocha, Isaac Ojigwe, Donald Agu, Nduka Anyanwu and Henry Isaac.

The 24-year-old arrives in Germany after a successful spell in Belgium, where he won two league titles, the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup with Club Brugge. Before moving to Belgium, he also lifted the Danish Cup during his time with FC Midtjylland.

His consistent performances in Europe have also strengthened his reputation. Onyedika has made 268 senior club appearances across all competitions, including 24 UEFA Champions League matches over the last three seasons.

At international level, he has earned 26 caps for Nigeria and represented the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, performances that reportedly convinced Frankfurt to pursue his signature throughout the summer transfer window.

During his unveiling, Onyedika participated in a quickfire interview and was asked what question he would ask Okocha if given the opportunity.

“The things he did that made him succeed in Frankfurt,” he replied.

Okocha represented Eintracht Frankfurt between 1992 and 1996, scoring 18 goals in 90 appearances and becoming one of the Bundesliga’s most entertaining players.

One of his most memorable moments came in 1993 when he dribbled past legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn before scoring a stunning goal that has since become one of the most celebrated strikes in Bundesliga history.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once described it as the greatest goal ever scored in the German top flight, while Kahn jokingly admitted he remained dizzy from Okocha’s dazzling skill.

Now, nearly three decades later, Onyedika hopes to write his own success story at Frankfurt while drawing inspiration from the achievements of his illustrious compatriot. He is expected to make his first appearance during pre-season before Frankfurt begin their DFB-Pokal campaign against St. Tönis 1911/20 on August 21.