Genoa have completed the signing of Nigeria-eligible defender Kingsley Ehizibue, with the experienced full-back joining the Serie A club ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The 31-year-old defender arrives at Genoa as a free agent after bringing his four-year spell with Udinese to an end.

Ehizibue spent four seasons with Udinese after joining the club from German side 1. FC Köln in 2022 and established himself as an experienced performer in the Italian top flight.

During his time at Udinese, the right-back made more than 100 Serie A appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists, according to recent career records.  

His final campaign with Udinese saw him make 32 appearances across all competitions and score twice, before his contract with the club expired at the end of the 2025/26 season.  

Genoa moved quickly to secure his services after the defender became available on a free transfer, adding valuable Serie A experience to their squad.

Ehizibue’s arrival also marks another chapter in a career that has taken him across the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.

Born in Munich, Germany, to Nigerian parents and raised in the Netherlands, Ehizibue began his professional career with PEC Zwolle before moving to 1. FC Köln and subsequently Udinese.

He represented the Netherlands at youth level but remains eligible to represent Nigeria at senior international level. He was previously invited to the Super Eagles setup in 2020.

The defender is primarily deployed at right-back and brings versatility, pace and considerable experience of Italian football to Genoa.

His move comes after he spent several weeks without a club following his departure from Udinese on July 1, but he has now secured a return to Serie A with Genoa.  

Ehizibue’s move to Genoa is reportedly a multi-year agreement, giving the defender another opportunity to compete at the highest level of Italian football.  

For Genoa, the signing provides additional depth and experience ahead of the new Serie A campaign, while Ehizibue will be hoping to make an immediate impact under the club’s new sporting project.

The move also keeps the Nigeria-eligible defender in one of Europe’s major leagues, potentially putting him back on the radar of Nigerian football followers as the Super Eagles continue to monitor eligible players abroad.