Nigel Atagana, a French-born midfielder, spent three seasons with Exeter City before leaving for Eastleigh. He appeared in sixteen games, mainly as a substitute, when City were promoted in 2022.

Nigel, from the outskirts of Paris, made his senior debut with US Avranches in 2008/09 and then played for Sport Union Dives-Cabourg (also in France) and CF Riudellots, the nursery club of Spanish side Girona FC. He then returned to France in 2013 with US Gravelines before coming to England, where he had earlier trials, to sign for Havant & Waterlooville in September 2013. After an impressive season with the Hampshire club - and being named player of the year in the process - Nigel joined near-neighbours Portsmouth on a two-year deal in June 2014. 

Appearing in 43 league games for Pompey before moving to Leyton Orient in January 2016 on an eighteen-month contract, he then had two seasons at Cheltenham Town prior to signing for Exeter City in May 2019.

With nearly 150 EFL appearances already under his belt, Nigel was to make 69 league appearances for City including three in the 2019/20 play-offs which ended in defeat to Northampton. When City won promotion in Nigel’s third, and final season, he started four league games and came on as substitute in another dozen.

Released by Exeter at the end of the 2021/22 season, Nigel made a return to Hampshire to join National League Eastleigh in August 2022 where - after playing infrequently during his first season with his new club - he had 55 league outings for the Spitfires ahead of not being retained in April 2024.