Nigeria defender Glory Ogbonna strengthens Besiktas defence

Nigeria international Glory Ogbonna has rejoined Besiktas for a second spell after spending the 2025/26 season with Israeli club Kiryat Gat.

The Turkish club confirmed the return of the 27-year-old centre-back on its official website. Ogbonna left Besiktas after her previous spell and spent one year away before agreeing to return ahead of the upcoming season.

“Besiktas have boosted their defensive line with the signing of their former player Glory Akumbu Ogbonna (born 25 December 1998 in Nigeria) for the upcoming season,” the club said in a statement.

Ogbonna’s return gives Besiktas a defender already familiar with the club and with the Turkish women’s football scene. She first joined the Turkish side in 2023, following earlier spells with clubs in Sweden, Spain and Turkey.

The Nigeria international began her professional career with Umea IK in Sweden. She subsequently moved to Spain to play for Santa Teresa Club Deportivo before joining Turkish club ALG Spor.

After her time with ALG Spor, Ogbonna signed for Besiktas in 2023. She later moved to Kiryat Gat, where she played during the 2025/26 campaign, before completing her return to the Turkish club.

Her career has also included significant international experience with Nigeria’s Super Falcons. Ogbonna represented the country at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2016 and again at the 2018 tournament.

She was part of the Nigeria squad that won the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The defender was also selected for the Super Falcons’ 23-player squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Besiktas said the signing was intended to strengthen its defensive line for the new season, with Ogbonna bringing previous knowledge of the club alongside her experience in both domestic and international football.

Her return follows a season away from Turkey and marks the latest stage of a career that has taken her across Sweden, Spain, Turkey and Israel, while also establishing her as a regular presence within Nigeria’s national-team setup.