Nigerian international Chidozie Awaziem has told FC Nantes he intends to leave the club following its relegation to Ligue 2, according to reports.
The 29-year-old centre-back communicated his decision to club officials after Nantes’ drop from the French top flight was confirmed. Nantes’ 13-year stay in Ligue 1 ended on 9 May 2026 with a 1-0 defeat to Racing Club de Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The result left the eight-time champions on 23 points, five behind the relegation play-off place, making survival mathematically impossible with one match remaining.
Awaziem returned to Nantes permanently in July 2025 on a three-year contract after a loan spell in 2017-2018 and stints in Portugal, Turkey, Spain, Croatia and the United States. This season he featured in 26 Ligue 1 matches, starting 24, and recorded one goal and two assists.
He led the division with 158 clearances and won more than 67 percent of his aerial duels. Despite his performances, Nantes managed only five wins in 32 matches and scored 29 goals, contributing to the club’s relegation. The defender cited the financial impact of dropping to Ligue 2, including an expected salary reduction, as a key reason for seeking a new challenge.