Debut delight: New signings who announced arrival with breathtaking goals

The opening week of the 2025/26 season during the weekend witnessed a flurry of goals from new signings who debuted in their new clubs across the English Premier League, (EPL), Serie A and LaLiga  announcing themselves as potential prospects and proving their worth.

One notable thing that spiced up the special moment that was created by almost all the goalscorers was the tribute they paid to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool striker who passed away on July 3, in a ghastly car crash.

Most of the debutants who scored celebrated exactly the way Jota used to celebrate each time he scored for Liverpool.

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Daily Trust, therefore, chronicles these memorable moments produced by the players whose debuts were marked with goals. From veterans like Giroud making history to newcomers such as Ndoye, Panichelli, and Liso seizing their moment, the season is brimming with stars to watch.  

Premier League

Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest)

The Switzerland winger wrote his name into the record books by becoming the first Swiss player ever to score on his Premier League debut. The 23-year-old, signed from Bologna in the summer, netted with a thumping header in Forest’s 3–1 victory over Brentford.

His debut goal registered him as the ninth player to score on his Nottingham Forest debut in the Premier League, and just the second since their 2022 promotion following Callum Hudson-Odoi against Burnley in 2023.

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)

Liverpool’s £70 million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, Hugo Ekitike, enjoyed a stunning start to life in England.

Ekitike registered his name on the scoresheet as not just a debutant but the player who scored the first goal of the new season after he broke the deadlock, sending Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to the wrong side in the 37th minute.

He also contributed to Cody Gakpo’s goal in the 49th minute to become the first French striker to both score and assist on his Premier League debut, striking in a 4–2.

Tijjani Reijnders & Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

Netherlands’ international Tijjani Rejinders, named after a former Nigerian international Tijani Babangida, contributed to Manchester City’s convincing 4-0 victory against Wolves, scoring three minutes later after Erling Haaland opened the lead in the 34th minute.

Rejinders perfectly slotted the ball into the net after he benefitted from Oscar Bobb through ball.

He joined City in a £46.3m switch from AC Milan. At the San Siro, he slotted straight into midfield and became a consistent starter in Serie A and the Champions League. Across two seasons, he impressed with his versatility

Rayan Cherki

The French International Cherki came from the bench and scored in the 87th minute to announce his arrival in the EPL.

Cherki made his professional debut at just 16 years in 2019, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Lyon’s history. Over six seasons with Lyon, Cherki made more than 140 Ligue 1 appearances, contributing consistently with goals and assists.

Manchester City’s new arrivals impressed in a commanding 4–0 victory at Wolves.

Ligue 1

Joaquín Panichelli (RC Strasbourg)

The Argentine made an unforgettable debut, heading home the decisive goal in a 1–0 away victory against Metz, sparking jubilant celebrations for his new club.

Panichelli’s winning goal came four minutes from the end, after he connected Dylan Bakwa’s cross to head into the back of the net,

The 22-year-old striker, who was last season’s top scorer at Mirandés in Spain’s second division with 20 goals, had been on loan from Alavés.  However, Alavés later transferred him permanently to Racing Strasbourg for €16.5 million.

Olivier Giroud (Lille)

The Frenchman announced his return to his country’s top-flight league with a goal after a 13 year voyage abroad after he found the net only eleven minutes into a 3–3 draw at Brest.

The 38-year-old’s return to his country’s league boosted his record, emerging as Lille’s oldest scorer in the league and the oldest scorer in Ligue 1.

France’s all-time top scorer Olivier Giroud signed a one-year deal with Lille after leaving Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.

La Liga

Adrián Liso (Getafe)

The 20-year old player announced himself on Spain’s biggest stage, opening the lead after he benefitted from a pass from Nigerian international, Christianus Uche, in the match against Celta Vigo.

Liso joined Getafe from Real Zaragoza on a one year loan.

The 20-year-old made his senior debut for his former club with the reserves on 16 October 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 Segunda Federación away loss to SD Formentera.

He scored his first senior goal on 10 September 2023, netting the third in a 3–0 home win over Náxara CD.

Robert Navarro (Athletic Club)

New signing Robert Navarro struck a decisive debut goal for Athletic Club in a 1–0 victory over Sevilla.

Coming off the bench in the 66th minute, the 23-year-old midfielder needed just 14 minutes to make his mark, driving home the winner with his only attempt on goal.

He officially joined Athletic Club after signing a five-year contract with the club on a free transfer, which will keep him there until June 30, 2030.

Miguel Rubio (Espanyol)

The Spanish footballer Rubio delivered a sterling performance as he contributed to Espanyol’s 2–1 comeback win against Atlético Madrid.

The Centre-back signed in June from Granada as a free agent, rose highest in the 73rd minute to head home the equaliser, paving the way for Pere Milla’s dramatic late winner.

With Matchday 2 a few days away, football fans are waiting to see when and how other high-profile signings like Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Byran Mbeuma (Manchester United), Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal), Estevavo Willian (Chelsea), and Joao Pedro (Chelsea) will open their goals accounts.

Source: DailyTrust | Read Full Story…