
In a significant move for South African football, Bafana Bafana international Ime Okon has officially joined Bundesliga 2 club Hannover 96.
The highly-rated 21-year-old defender was unveiled by the German side on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after traveling from South Africa on Monday evening.
Okon, who was heavily linked with a move to Premier Soccer League giants Kaizer Chiefs, ultimately chose to pursue his career abroad.
This transfer sees him leave SuperSport United, where his contract expired on Monday, June 30, 2025, making him a free agent signing for Hannover 96.
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The young centre-back has penned a four-year deal with the German club, committing his future until June 30, 2029. His acquisition marks Hannover 96’s 13th summer signing, as they actively strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
Marcus Mann, Hannover96 Managing Director said on the club’s website, “We then collected data on him in scouting and evaluated his athletic profile, which is exceptional.”
Okon added, “I am very pleased to sign now at Hannover 96. I assume this challenge of being able to play in Germany with great pleasure”.
Okon’s journey to Germany included previous trials in Denmark and Ukraine, showcasing his ambition to play in Europe. He was promoted to SuperSport United’s senior team in July 2023 and quickly became a key player, featuring in 57 matches across all competitions and scoring two goals during his tenure.
This move comes shortly after Okon made his Bafana Bafana debut at the COSAFA Cup, further highlighting his rising profile. He now joins a Hannover 96 team with a rich history, boasting two Bundesliga titles (their last in the 1953/54 season) and a DFB Pokal win in the 1991/92 season.
His transfer to Hannover 96 represents a major step in Okon’s career, offering him the opportunity to develop further in European football.