Paul Onuachu Faces 4-Week Layoff After Ankle Injury at Trabzonspor
Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu faces a four-week absence after sustaining an ankle injury during Trabzonspor’s pre-season friendly against Araz Nakhchivan on July 17, 2025, dealing a blow to the Turkish Super Lig club’s preparations.
The 31-year-old, who finalized a €5.6 million permanent transfer from Southampton earlier in July, suffered “intense swelling” and partial ligament damage in his left ankle, according to Trabzonspor’s medical team via AbcGazetesi. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Beşir, head of the club’s health board, stated, “Due to the impact, intense oedema was detected in Onuachu’s left ankle bones and partial injury to his ankle ligaments. Our medical team has begun treatment.”
The injury disrupts Onuachu’s much-anticipated return to Trabzonspor, where he scored 17 goals in 25 matches during a 2023-24 loan spell, earning fan-favorite status.
Despite rejecting offers from clubs like Rennes, the towering forward, who scored four goals in 25 Premier League games for Southampton in 2024-25, committed to a three-year deal with Trabzonspor, only to face this setback.,
The injury may see him miss the Super Lig’s opening matches against Kocaelispor (August 11), Kasimpasa, Antalyaspor, and Samsunspor, hampering Trabzonspor’s early-season ambitions under new coach Fatih Tekke.
