Raphael Onyedika Nwadike (; born 19 April 2001) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt and the Nigeria national team.
Club career Midtjylland Onyedika used to play street football before joining Nigerian club F.C. Ebedei's academy at the age of 15.RAPHAEL ONYEDIKA OM DANMARK OG OVERGANGEN TIL SENIORFODBOLD, fcm.dk, 6 July 2021 After three years in Ebedei, Onyedika joined the academy of FC Midtjylland in Denmark, an affiliate club to FC Ebedei, shortly after his 18th birthday.
In his first full season in FC Midtjylland, he impressed in the U19 League and in the UEFA Youth League with his physique, speed and playing style. On 1 July 2020, he signed his first five-year professional contract with the club until June 2025.FCM binder talentfuld nigerianer til 2025, bold.dk, 1 July 2020 To gain more experience, Onyedika was loaned out to Midtjylland's affiliate club, Danish 1st Division-side FC Fredericia, on 19 August 2020 for the whole 2020–21 season.FC Fredericia tilknytter endnu en spiller fra FC Midtjylland, frdb.dk, 19 August 2020 Onyedika did well on his loan spell, playing 28 games and scoring three goals. The season went well enough for the Nigerian to be named in TV3 Sport's team of the year in the Danish 1st Division.
Onyedika returned to Midtjylland in the summer 2021 and was promoted to the first team squad.FCM rykker seks talenter op på førsteholdet, bold.dk, 18 June 2021 He got his official debut for Midtjylland on 16 July 2021 against Odense Boldklub, the first game of the 2021–22 Danish Superliga, where he was in the starting line-up and played the whole game.MIDTJYLLAND VS. OB 1 – 2, Soccerway, 16 July 2021
Club Brugge On 28 August 2022, Onyedika signed a five-year contract with Club Brugge in Belgium.
International career In September 2022, Raphael Onyedika was first called up with the Nigeria national team by coach José Peseiro. He honours his first selection at this gathering on 27 September 2022 in a friendly match against Algeria. He came into play in place of Frank Onyeka in this match lost by the Nigerians (2–1 final score).
On 29 December 2023, he was selected in the list of 25 Nigerian players selected by José Peseiro to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 11 December 2025, Onyedika was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Style of play
Raphael Onyedika is primarily a defensive midfielder, known for his physical strength, ball-winning ability, and tactical discipline. He excels at breaking up opposition play through interceptions and well-timed tackles, while also possessing the composure to retain possession under pressure. His athleticism allows him to cover ground quickly, and he often serves as a shield in front of the defense.
Onyedika also contributes to progressive build-up play, demonstrating good passing range and the ability to carry the ball forward. His style has drawn comparisons to classic holding midfielders, combining defensive solidity with transitional play.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMidtjylland2020–21Danish Superliga00000000002021–22Danish Superliga31261111—4842022–23Danish Superliga600030—90Total3726114100574Fredericia (loan)2020–21Danish 1st Division28300——283Club Brugge2022–23Belgian Pro League3102070—4002023–24Belgian Pro League30320171—4942024–25Belgian Pro League34160101105222025–26Belgian Pro League3011010210423Total1255110454201839Eintracht Frankfurt2026–27Bundesliga4010——50Career total194101815952027316
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNigeria2022102023202024111202552202680Total273
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Onyedika goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Raphael OnyedikaNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition110 June 2024Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Nigeria91–02–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification230 December 2025Fez Stadium, Fez, Morocco192–03–12025 Africa Cup of Nations33–0
Honours FC Midtjylland Danish Superliga: 2019-20 Danish Cup: 2021–22
Club Brugge Belgian Pro League: 2023–24, 2025–26 Belgian Cup: 2024–25 Belgian Super Cup: 2025
Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2023; third place: 2025
Individual : 2023–24
Orders Member of the Order of the Niger
References
External links
Raphael Onyedika at the Club Brugge KN website