Nigeria-born defender Hamdi Akujobi officially returns to his roots in Rotterdam, signing with Dutch Eredivisie club Excelsior Rotterdam on a free transfer. The 26-year-old right-back finalized the deal on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, securing a contract that runs until the end of the current season with a club option to extend for an additional year. Akujobi, who was born in Rotterdam and began his youth career at Feyenoord, had been a free agent following the conclusion of his previous stint in the Netherlands.
His move to Excelsior comes at a crucial juncture in his career as he reaches the final stages of recovery from a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained during his time with SC Heerenveen. The club’s technical director, Niels van Duinen, emphasized that the signing is a strategic one, as Akujobi will spend the immediate coming weeks completing his intensive rehabilitation at the club’s facilities in Kralingen before being integrated into the first-team squad for the season’s final stretch. His extensive Eredivisie experience, which includes over 80 appearances and a stint at Almere City, is expected to provide much-needed depth and defensive stability to the Excelsior backline.
The defender’s journey back to professional play is also notable for his international background, having previously been called up to the Nigeria national under-20 preliminary squad for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
As he nears full fitness, Akujobi is eager to prove his readiness for the top flight once again, with Excelsior hoping his return to his hometown will reignite the form that once made him a standout talent in Dutch football. He is projected to be available for selection by early March, just as the league enters its most competitive phase.
