'We’re proud of you' - Leverkusen react to Tella’s first Super Eagles call-up

Bayer Leverkusen have congratulated Nathan Tella on his first call-up to Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Tella was included in the Super Eagles 23-man squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The 24-year-old, alongside Victor Boniface, were included for the qualifiers.

“Well done on your first call up Nathan!,” Leverkusen wrote on X.

The Eagles will host Lesotho on Thursday, 16 November inside the Godswill Akpabio International stadium in Uyo.

On Sunday, 19 November, the Eagles will face Zimbabwe in Rwanda on matchday two of the qualifiers.

This season Tella has made five appearances overall accumulating 45 minutes of playing time.

Every one of his appearances this season have come as a substitute.

After ten years with Arsenal youth team (2007 to 2017, Tella spent time on trial at Reading and Norwich City, before joining Southampton in April 2017.

In July 2019, he extended his contract with the club for a further year, before signing a further three-year extension in July 2020.

On 19 June 2020, Tella made his senior debut as a substitute in Southampton’s 3–0 win over Norwich City.

He made his first goal contribution on 11 February 2021 by providing an assist to Stuart Armstrong’s goal in a 2–0 FA Cup fifth round win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On 23 February, Tella made his first Premier League start in a 3–0 defeat to Leeds United and 15 May, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 3–1 win against Fulham.