German Onugkha Transforms From Israeli League Disappointment to Top Scorer in Denmark and Turkey

German Onugkha, a striker born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Nigerian father, experienced a challenging stint in Israel's Premier League before rising to prominence abroad. In the summer of 2022, Onugkha joined Bnei Sakhnin on loan from Vejle in Denmark, expected to bolster their attack. However, he failed to score in league matches and was involved in a disciplinary incident during training, fighting with defender Maron Ghantos. This led to his suspension and early termination of his loan, returning him to Vejle after just a few months.

Before arriving in Israel, Onugkha had played in lower Russian leagues and had a modest season with Rubin Kazan, scoring three goals in 25 appearances. His time at Bnei Sakhnin was marked by underperformance and disciplinary issues, which resulted in the club deciding he was not part of their future plans. Despite this setback, his career took a positive turn upon returning to Denmark.

Back at Vejle, Onugkha helped the team gain promotion to the Danish Superliga by scoring six goals in 16 appearances. The 2023/24 season marked his breakthrough, as he netted 15 goals to become the league's top scorer and played a crucial role in helping Vejle avoid relegation. His standout performance included a brace in a 2-0 victory over B.93, securing the club's league status.

In September 2024, FC Copenhagen signed Onugkha for 1.5 million euros, intending for him to replace Icelandic striker Uri Óskarsson. However, he struggled to secure playing time in the title-contending team and was loaned back to Vejle in January 2025. There, he rediscovered his scoring form, tallying 13 goals in half a season and finishing sixth in the league's scoring charts.

Most recently, Onugkha transferred to Turkish club Kayserispor for one million euros. In the 2025 season, he made 27 league appearances, scoring eight goals, the highest on his team, including a notable brace against Fenerbahçe. His journey illustrates a late-blooming striker who overcame early career instability and disciplinary setbacks in Israel to establish himself as a proven goal scorer in European leagues.

While his time in Israel is remembered for missed opportunities and conflict, Onugkha's success in Denmark and Turkey highlights that failure in one league does not define a player's overall potential or career trajectory.