Chidera Ejuke: Chile’s Dávila helps Heerenveen and CSKA Moscow resolve 4-year Nigerian star’s transfer saga

The Dutch club confirmed on Monday that the final payment for Ejuke’s transfer fee has been received, marking the end of a complex financial standoff with the Russian outfit.

Ejuke joined CSKA Moscow in the summer of 2020 for a reported €11.5 million, with the transfer fee to be paid in instalments.

However, the Russian club’s financial obligations were disrupted by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent international sanctions. The delayed payments prompted Heerenveen to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled in their favour.

Despite the favourable judgment, Heerenveen faced further delays in recovering the funds.

The breakthrough came after Chilean forward Víctor Dávila, who owed CSKA compensation following his transfer to Mexican club Club América, redirected part of his payment to the Dutch side.

SC Heerenveen’s general manager, Ferry de Haan, expressed relief at the resolution:

“It was a long and complex case. Partly thanks to the help of the FBO, the CAS ruling, the Ministry of Finance’s mediation, and support from Rabobank, we were able to resolve the problem,” De Haan said.

While the €3.1 million final payment has been received, De Haan disclosed that Heerenveen is still entitled to interest on the delayed fee.

“We are still awaiting ministry approval for this payment, and discussions are ongoing,” he added.

However, the long delay in receiving the funds has impacted Heerenveen’s finances.

To compensate, the club had to bring forward the transfer terms of other player sales in recent years, a decision De Haan admits cost them financially.

“The millions give us more options, but they won’t just be invested in the squad. This money is crucial for our financial buffer and liquidity,” De Haan told Leeuwarder Courant as per Feanonline.

The 27-year-old Ejuke, now playing for Sevilla, has had a journeyman career since leaving Heerenveen. Following loan spells at Hertha BSC and Royal Antwerp, the Nigerian forward joined Sevilla on a free transfer last summer.

CSKA Moscow’s payment also led to FIFA lifting its transfer ban on the Russian club. The ban, imposed in December 2024 due to the unpaid debt, was set to last until 2026.

CSKA Communications Director Kirill Breydo confirmed the resolution, saying:

“We never refused to pay and were in constant dialogue with Heerenveen, offering various payment options.”

The saga now ends, allowing both clubs to move forward, while Heerenveen looks to stabilize its financial position.