Cyriel Dessers

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…

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.

Club

As of match played 31 August 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.

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