Chidozie Awaziem returned permanently to FC Nantes in July 2025 on a three-year contract hoping to help restore stability at the club.
Instead, the Nigerian defender has ended the campaign with the pain of relegation after Nantes officially dropped to Ligue 2 following a narrow 1-0 defeat against RC Lens on Friday night.
Chidozie Awaziem Shines Despite Nantes Relegation
The result confirmed Nantes’ fall from the French top flight with one game still remaining this season, ending the club’s 13-year stay in Ligue 1.
Awaziem played the entire match and once again delivered a solid defensive performance despite Nantes struggling under relentless pressure from Lens.
The Super Eagles star made several crucial clearances and blocks, continuing the impressive form that recently earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Week after Nantes’ stunning 3-0 victory over Marseille.
Unfortunately for Nantes, their fight for survival finally collapsed in the 79th minute when 16-year-old Lens debutant Mezian Soares scored with his very first touch after coming off the bench.
The defeat left Nantes stranded on 23 points, five behind the relegation play-off position, making survival mathematically impossible.
Awaziem’s Strong Numbers Could Spark Summer Interest
Although Nantes endured a disappointing season, Awaziem emerged as one of the club’s few standout performers. The 28-year-old featured in 26 Ligue 1 matches, starting 24 times while contributing one goal and two assists.
The Nigerian centre-back also finished as Ligue 1’s leader in clearances with 158 and won over 67 percent of his aerial duels, underlining his consistency throughout a difficult campaign.
Nantes struggled badly in attack, managing only five wins and scoring just 29 league goals all season. Their inability to convert chances eventually proved costly.
Awaziem now faces an uncertain future once again. The defender has experienced several relegation battles during spells across Portugal, Turkey, Spain, Croatia, the United States and France.
With Nantes heading to Ligue 2, attention will now turn to whether the Nigerian international stays to help the club bounce back or pursues another move elsewhere in Ligue 1.