Euroleague Market: Jekiri extends his contract with Partizan Belgrade
The interior, who arrived in Belgrade in January, has become a key piece in Joan Peñarroya's rotation.
Belgrade's Partizan has officially confirmed the renewal of Tonye Jekiri for an additional season. The Nigerian center, who joined the black and white team just a few months ago, has signed the extension that binds him to the Serbian entity until the 2026-27 season. His stay solidifies the sports project under the technical direction of Joan Peñarroya for the upcoming EuroLeague.
Since his mid-season arrival, Jekiri has proven to be a defensive asset and a significant rebounder. His addition was in response to the need to strengthen the paint, and the Nigerian has responded with consistent performance. In the ABA League, the center averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, figures that reflect his balanced contribution both offensively and defensively. In the EuroLeague, a more demanding competition, he recorded 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, establishing himself as a key piece in Peñarroya's rotation.
Jekiri's defensive presence in the paint has been crucial for the team. His height and ability to clean the boards have notably boosted Partizan's defensive capability in recent months. While his offensive numbers may not be spectacular, his defensive contribution and teamwork fully justify the trust placed by the coaching staff.
Before arriving in Belgrade, Jekiri had accumulated extensive experience in relevant clubs across Europe. The center has defended the colors of Spanish Baskonia, Turkish Fenerbahçe, Russian UNICS Kazan, and CSKA Moscow, also from the Russian league. This trajectory demonstrates that he is a player with proven reliability in top European competitions.
His time with these clubs has allowed him to adapt to different tactical systems and compete against the best interior players on the continent. The accumulated experience has been essential for him to integrate quickly into Partizan's project without the need for an extended adaptation period.
Long-Term Project at Partizan
Jekiri's renewal reflects Partizan's commitment to building a competitive team with a solid foundation. Joan Peñarroya has shown his ability to maximize the performance of his players, and the continuity of the Nigerian center allows the consolidation of that work. The contract extension is a mutual recognition: the club trusts that Jekiri will continue to be decisive, and the player sees in Belgrade a project where he can develop and compete at the highest level.
Stability in the squad is crucial for any team aspiring to compete consistently. Jekiri's continuity ensures that Partizan will be able to maintain its defensive identity and rebounding capability in the upcoming season, elements that have proven to be fundamental pillars in its recent performances.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mercado Euroliga: Jekiri amplía su vinculación con el Partizan de Belgrado
