Nigerian football icon Asisat Oshoala has joined Saudi Women’s Premier League giants Al Hilal, marking the latest chapter in a globe-trotting career that continues to inspire. The 30-year-old striker signed a two-year deal after completing her medicals in Riyadh earlier this week.
The move sees Oshoala leave Bay FC in the United States, where she made history as the club’s first ever goal scorer in their debut NWSL season. She netted seven goals in 38 appearances, earning praise for both her on-field impact and her leadership behind the scenes.
Although her second season brought fewer minutes due to tactical changes, her legacy at Bay FC is secure. Her presence helped shape the club’s early identity. Now, the six-time African Women’s Player of the Year takes her talents to Saudi Arabia, joining fellow Super Falcons stars Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega in a league that’s rapidly gaining global attention.
From Lagos to the World: Oshoala’s Journey of Excellence
Oshoala’s career has spanned Nigeria, England, China, Spain, the US, and now the Middle East, with silverware and records at nearly every stop. At Barcelona Femeni, she won multiple league titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, and became the first African woman nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Her arrival at Al Hilal is expected to bring not just goals but invaluable experience to a side looking to improve on their sixth place finish last season. Club insiders say she will play a key role in both leading the attack and mentoring younger players as the league continues its rapid development.
For Nigerian football, Oshoala’s move represents more than just another transfer. It’s a reminder of how far women’s football from the continent has come and how its stars are helping shape the game on a global scale.