Europe has traditionally been the home for many African footballers, who have made a name for themselves on the continent with brilliant performances for their clubs. However, a growing number of them have made the switch to Asia in recent years for financial reasons and to take on new challenges.
With leagues such as the Saudi Pro League, the Chinese Super League and the Qatar Stars League growing in influence, here are five African footballers who switched to Asia and went on to enjoy successful spells there;
Odion Ighalo (Nigeria)
Super Eagles legend Odion Ighalo first moved to Asia in 2017 when he joined Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai after an impressive spell with Watford in the English Premier League.
Ighalo then secured another switch to Shanghai Shenhua two years later, making him one of the highest paid African footballers as at the time and winning the Chinese FA Cup in his first season at the club.
The former Nigerian striker also played for the likes of Al Shabab, Al Wehda and Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, winning the league title and the King Cup, as well as the golden boot award in the 2021-22 season.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly closely follows Nigerian legend Ighalo after his period of success since joining Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal in 2023 from Chelsea.
The 34-year-old has won four trophies since his arrival at the club, helping them to the league and cup double honours in his first season, before adding the two consecutive Saudi Super Cup titles in 2023 and 2024 to his glittering career.
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Yaccine Bounou (Morocco)
Moroccan goalkeeper Yaccine Bounou also joined the large exodus of players that moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, after a very impressive spell at Spanish club Sevilla where he won two Europa League titles.
The two-time African goalkeeper of the year has been a very key figure since making the move to Al Hilal just over two years ago and has already made 115 appearances for the Saudi giants across all competitions, winning four major honours.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Riyad Mahrez capped a very impressive stint in the English Premier League by winning a historic treble with Manchester City in 2023 before leaving to join Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
The Algerian captain scored nine goals for his side as they won the AFC Champions League title for the first time in their history last season and was also influential as they defeated Al Nassr to win the Saudi Super Cup in 2025.
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Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie completes this list following his move to Al Ahli from Barcelona in 2023. The 29-year-old helped the Saudi giants to two trophies in the 2024-25 campaign, including their first-ever Champions League crown, netting the second goal in a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the final.
Kessie also scored in the Saudi Super Cup win over Al Nassr, before comfortably dispatching his spot-kick in the shootout as Al Ahli lifted their second Super Cup title.
