What Nigerian Powerhouse Rafiu Durosinmi Will Bring to Goal-Shy Pisa After Agreeing Move From Viktoria Plzen

Pisa are on the verge of completing a deal for Viktoria Plzen forward Rafiu Durosinmi, who arrives with a promise for goals and huge potential to grow.

Pisa’s well-documented struggles in front of goal this season sees them wallowing near the foot of the table, three points adrift of safety.

With just one victory in 18 games, they are buoyed by the fact half of their fixtures have ended in a stalemate, and as such are one of the biggest contributors to Serie A’s disproportionately high draw rate.

This underlines an increasingly desperate need for a killer in front of goal; spirited draws against Genoa, Sassuolo and Cagliari in recent weeks could easily have swung in their favor with more efficiency in attack.

Only Cremonese’s league-low xG (Expected Goals) ranks fewer than Pisa’s 1.05 per-90 this season, but they can take a shred of comfort in the fact nine draws highlights their ability to remain firmly in contests – even if they aren’t collecting three points.

On paper, January could be a gruelling month for Pisa, who face Udinese and league leaders Inter on the road, as well as a home fixture against Atalanta sandwiched in between.

However, even a single victory could catapult them into a position where safety is a real possibility. February has a far more positive outlook with rock-bottom Verona and struggling Fiorentina, while Sassuolo and AC Milan also await – two teams they have taken points off already this term.

With Angola’s M’Bala Nzola away at AFCON, his absence has been felt. While Pisa’s options in attack are abundant, few have been able to find the net on a consistent basis, and reinforcements have been a priority for director Danielle Freggia.

With a crucial run of games on the horizon, they may well have captured an astute forward at precisely the right time.

Pisa Set to Complete Deal For Rafiu Durosinmi

Viktoria Plzen striker Rafiu Durosinmi is travelling to Tuscany to undergo a medical on Tuesday, ahead of a proposed move to Pisa.

Although he has just this month turned 23, the Nigerian has a proven track record of finding the net since arriving in the Czech Republic.

His goalscoring exploits have commanded the attention of teams in Europe’s top five leagues, with his balance of technical ability and physicality a rare but sought-after blend.

Durosinmi joins in a deal expected to rise to €11m, and could be available to make his debut as early as Saturday against Udinese.

Good hold up, strength & quality finish from Rafiu Durosinmi.

Look at that touch.pic.twitter.com/89lmP41Eat

— First Touch (@FirstTouch31) January 6, 2026

What Rafiu Durosinmi Will Bring to Pisa’s Attack

This season alone, Durosinmi has netted a respectable 13 goals across 30 appearances as he establishes himself as Plzen’s first choice.

His development has been steady since joining the club, but 45 goal contributions in 86 appearances is a record that should excite the Pisa fanbase.

Compared with forwards in Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the 92nd percentile for shot creating actions at 3.35 per game, which could prove to be a huge asset for a Pisa side who, as mentioned, rank decidedly low in xG.

For a player who towers above most at six-foot-four, he possesses a surprisingly delicate touch. He ranks in the 88th percentile for assists and 83rd for successful take-ons.

He does, of course, use his imposing frame for aerial duels, winning 3.6 per-game which puts him among the most effective forwards in Europe.

All these qualities combine to give a picture of a near-complete striker, who has plenty of room to grow at just 23 years old.

Whether he will take up the goalscoring mantle from Stefano Moreo immediately remains to be seen, but his arrival should ease the pressure on the 32-year-old.

Durosinmi’s ability to hold up the ball and bring others into the game should compliment the likes of M’Bala Nzola, Matteo Tramoni and Henrik Meister, who will all be able to feed off him.