Paul Onuachu is enjoying one of the most prolific seasons of his career, and Fatih Tekke has made it clear that the Nigerian striker’s impact at Trabzonspor goes far beyond just scoring goals.
The Trabzonspor manager has praised the Super Eagles forward for his natural goal-scoring ability and relentless work ethic in training as the Black Sea club continues its push for European qualification in the Süper Lig.
Speaking about the 31-year-old striker, Tekke highlighted both his strengths and the areas he believes can make him even more dangerous.
“When Onuachu first arrived, I called him the top scorer. He has special talents, but what I want from him is to be even better. If he doesn’t lose some balls easily, he will score more goals. We are very happy to have him. What I like most about him is how he works hard in training.”
A Career Reborn in Turkey
Onuachu joined Trabzonspor permanently in July 2025 after impressing during an earlier loan spell from Southampton F.C.
His resurgence in Turkey stands in stark contrast to his difficult period in the Premier League, where he managed just one goal in 15 appearances during the 2023–24 season.
This campaign in the Süper Lig, however, has seen the towering striker rediscover his devastating form. Onuachu has scored 18 goals in 21 league matches, with two assists, while his overall tally stands at 20 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions.
The Nigerian forward has also been on a remarkable run of form, scoring in eight consecutive matches in both league and cup competitions since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
More Than Just Goals
Standing at 6’7”, Onuachu’s physical dominance has become a major asset for Trabzonspor at both ends of the pitch.
In a recent 2–1 victory over Göztepe S.K., the striker produced a remarkable all-round display by winning more than 10 aerial duels and recording over 10 clearances in the same match, the first player in the league to reach both marks in a single game this season.
His average match rating of 7.65 underlines his consistent influence, while five yellow cards highlight the combative style that has made him such a difficult opponent for defenders.
Chasing Club History
Onuachu’s scoring exploits have already placed him among the most prolific foreign players in Trabzonspor history.
With 18 league goals so far, he is closing in on the club’s single-season scoring record for a foreign player, currently held by Shota Arveladze with 25 goals during the 1995–96 season. Another recent benchmark was set by Alexander Sørloth, who scored 24 goals in the 2019–20 campaign.
With 14 matches still remaining in the league season, Onuachu appears well positioned to challenge those records.
Trabzonspor’s European Push
Trabzonspor currently sit third in the Süper Lig standings with 51 points from 24 matches, trailing leaders Galatasaray S.K. and second-placed Fenerbahçe S.K.
The Black Sea side has won 15 league matches this season, scoring 48 goals and conceding 28, numbers that keep them firmly in contention for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Recent results have only strengthened that momentum. A 3–1 victory over Fatih Karagümrük S.K. and a 4–2 Turkish Cup win against İstanbul Başakşehir F.K., where Onuachu again found the net, underline the team’s attacking firepower.
Eyes on the Next Challenge
While Tekke has challenged Onuachu to improve aspects of his hold-up play and ball retention, the statistics already underline the striker’s efficiency. His 0.9 goals per 90 minutes and a non-penalty expected goals (npxG) figure of 0.60 per 90 suggest he could become even more clinical.
As Trabzonspor prepare for their next league clash against Kayserispor on March 9, the spotlight will once again fall on their Nigerian talisman.
For Onuachu, once labelled a misfit in England, the Turkish revival is proving to be a powerful reminder of his quality and a season that could yet end with records, silverware, and a return to Europe’s biggest stage.
