Cyriel Dessers

Footballer

▸ Source: Wikidata

Cyriel Dessers is a Belgian professional footballer known for his forward position.

Dessers plays for Greek Super League club Panathinaikos and represents the Nigeria national team.

He began his youth career at OH Leuven, where he scored 21 goals in 21 reserve games during the 2013–14 season.

Based on: Wikidata, Wikipedia

Biography

Early Life

Cyriel Kolawole Dessers was born in Belgium to a Belgian father and a Nigerian mother. He began his football journey in the youth systems of various clubs, including FC De Zwaluw Vechmaal, Union FC Rutten, and Sint-Truiden, before joining the youth setup at OH Leuven at the age of 16. Alongside his burgeoning football career, Dessers pursued academic studies in law at KU Leuven.

Career

Dessers made his professional debut with OH Leuven during a challenging season for the club, where he quickly made a name for himself by scoring 21 goals in 21 reserve matches. In April 2014, he signed a two-year deal with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen. His career progressed as he moved to NAC Breda in July 2016, where he played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Eredivisie, scoring three goals in a crucial match against NEC. Following his time at NAC Breda, he joined FC Utrecht and later Heracles Almelo, where he was recognized as a top goalscorer in the Eredivisie.

In June 2020, Dessers transferred to Genk, and by August 2021, he was loaned to Feyenoord, where he continued to excel. His international career took off when he chose to represent Nigeria, debuting in a friendly match against Tunisia in October 2020. Dessers has since been a key player for Nigeria, contributing to their success in various competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.

Legacy

Dessers has achieved significant milestones in his career, including being the top scorer in the Eredivisie for the 2019–20 season and the UEFA Conference League for the 2021–22 season. He has also earned individual accolades such as the Eredivisie Player of the Month in November 2019. His contributions to both club and country have solidified his reputation as a talented forward in professional football.

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Wikidata

Gallery

Career & Clubs

International career

Born in Belgium to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, Dessers chose to represent Nigeria at international level in December 2019. Earlier in his career, he was called up to the Belgium under-21 national team for a game against Moldova, but he was an unused substitute. On 4 March 2020, he was called up by Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr as part of the team players invited for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Sierra Leone. Dessers debuted in a friendly 1–1 draw with Tunisia on 13 October 2020. In March 2024 Dessers was called up to the Nigeria team for matches against Ghana and Mali, with Dessers scoring in the Ghana match. In May 2025, Dessers was called up again to the Nigerian national team for the Unity Cup matches between Ghana and either of Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago. In the first game against Ghana, he scored the opening goal against Ghana for the second consecutive time against them after being set up by Sodiq Ismaila in the 14th minute. On 11 December 2025, Dessers was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 8 November 2026

International

As of match played 16 December 2025

As of match played 28 May 2025 Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dessers goal.

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Club career

OH Leuven

Dessers joined OH Leuven's youth system from Tongeren at the age of 16 in 2011. He had previously played youth football for FC De Zwaluw Vechmaal, Union FC Rutten and Sint-Truiden. He began studying law at university (KU Leuven) while playing for OH Leuven's youth teams. During the 2013–14 season, Dessers stood out for OH Leuven's under-19 and reserve teams, scoring 21 goals in 21 reserve games by March. With OHL in danger of relegation and several first-team strikers either out of shape, injured or suspended, he was given his first minutes in the first-team in a 3–2 away loss against Mons.

Lokeren

In April 2014, Dessers signed a two-year deal with Lokeren.

NAC Breda

In July 2016, he signed for Eerste Divisie club NAC Breda on a contract until the summer of 2019. On 28 May 2017, they were promoted to the Eredivisie after a 4–1 victory over NEC, in which Dessers scored three goals. He finished the season with 29 goals in 40 matches.

FC Utrecht

In July 2017, Dessers moved to FC Utrecht, agreeing a contract for three years with an option for an additional year.

Heracles Almelo

Dessers joined Heracles Almelo in July 2019. After the 2019–20 Eredivisie season was abandoned, he was jointly awarded the top goalscorer award alongside Steven Berghuis, with 15 goals each.

Genk and loan to Feyenoord

On 30 June 2020, Dessers moved to Genk on a four-year deal. On 31 August 2021, Dessers returned to the Netherlands to join…

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Club: K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen (2014–)
Club: Oud-Heverlee Leuven (2013–2014)
Club: Rangers F.C.
National team: Nigeria

Legacy

Honours

Genk

Belgian Cup: 2020–21 Feyenoord

UEFA Conference League runner-up: 2021–22 Rangers

Scottish League Cup: 2023–24 Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2025 Individual

Eredivisie Player of the Month: November 2019 Eredivisie top scorer: 2019–20 UEFA Conference League top scorer: 2021–22 UEFA Conference League Team of the Season: 2021–22 Scottish Premiership top scorer: 2024–25

▸ Source: Wikipedia

Clubs

Played together with

Discussion

Opinions of fans — not verified facts.

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