Nigerian midfielder Esther Onyenezide Chinemerem has joined Israeli women’s club Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem from Spain’s Madrid CFF.
The 21 year-old’s move comes just six months after she made the leap to Europe from Nigeria’s Robo Queens.
Onyenezide arrived in Spain earlier this year alongside her Falconets teammate, Opeyemi Ajakaye, both making the switch from their Nigerian club to Madrid CFF.
Reflecting on her time in Spain, Onyenezide expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt social media post: “It can only be God, forever grateful.”
Madrid CFF also confirmed her departure: “Esther Onyenezide Chinemerem is on her way to Hapoel.”
Onyenezide made a strong impression during her brief tenure in Spain, but it was her standout performance at the 2022 Women’s U20 World Cup that first put her on the global map.
She was named FIFA’s Player of the Match in Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Canada, where she netted two crucial goals.
Now, Onyenezide joins a Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem side that is rapidly rising in Israeli women’s football.
The senior women’s team of the fan-owned Hapoel Jerusalem club was founded only in the 2020-21 season, yet it has already made a mark, climbing from the third league to competing at the highest level. Last season, they finished as runners-up and secured their first major silverware, the Athena Cup.
While her time in Spain was brief, Onyenezide’s impact was undeniable.
As she embarks on this new chapter with Hapoel, she will be looking to bring her dynamic play to a team now setting its sights on the national championship and aiming for success in the State Cup.
