Nigerian midfield prodigy Daniel Daga is set to resume his European football career after being unanimously acquitted of sexual assault charges by a Norwegian appeals court.
His club, Molde FK, officially announced the lifting of his suspension following the verdict by the Frostating Court of Appeal, overturning a previous lower court ruling.
Daga, 19, saw his rapid ascent in European football abruptly halted four months ago. The highly-rated defensive midfielder, who transferred to Molde in January 2025, had quickly established himself as a pivotal figure for the Norwegian outfits, racking up 17 appearances before legal troubles forced him to the sidelines.
The legal saga began in April 2025, when allegations of a sexual offence were reported to Norwegian authorities. While Daga steadfastly maintained his innocence, Molde FK suspended him from all club activities pending the outcome of the investigation.
The case saw a dramatic shift following an initial setback for the player:
- March 2026: The Romsdal District Court found Daga guilty, handing down a conviction and ordering him to pay NOK 10,000 in legal costs.
- July 2026: Daga successfully appealed the decision, leading to a total acquittal by the Frostating Court of Appeal.
In an official statement released on their website, Molde FK confirmed that the teenager is being reintegrated into the squad.
“Daniel Daga has been unanimously acquitted in the criminal case heard by the Frostating Court of Appeal,” the club stated. “Based on the verdict, Molde FK considers that Daga will once again be available for play, even though the verdict is not yet final.”
The ruling marks the end of a tumultuous chapter for the young Super Eagles prospect, who is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest young talents. Daga has been a cornerstone for Nigeria’s youth setup, starting every single match for the Flying Eagles during both the 2023 and 2025 U-20 World Cup campaigns.
With his legal clearance secured, Daga can now refocus on anchoring Molde’s midfield and reviving a trajectory that many expect will eventually lead him to the senior Nigerian national team.
