Nigerian forward joins Dutch giants on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent.
Dutch giants Ajax have officially announced the signing of Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the agreement including an option to make the transfer permanent.
The move gives the 25-year-old Super Eagles forward a fresh opportunity after Wolves’ relegation from the Premier League. Arokodare made 33 league appearances for the English club last season, scoring three goals and contributing one assist.
At Ajax, the Nigerian striker is expected to compete for a place in the starting lineup alongside fellow summer arrival Marcos Leonardo, who recently joined the Amsterdam club from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Jordi Cruyff Welcomes Arokodare
Ajax Technical Director Jordi Cruyff believes Arokodare’s qualities will strengthen the club’s attacking options.
Speaking after the transfer was confirmed, Cruyff said the Nigerian possesses attributes that were previously missing from the squad.
With Tolu, we are bringing in a striker with a profile we did not yet have in our squad. He is physically strong and has shown he knows how to score goals. We believe he will make an important contribution this season.
Career Journey
Before moving to England, Arokodare featured for Valmiera in Latvia, FC Köln in Germany and Amiens in France.
However, it was during his spell at Belgian side Genk that he established himself as one of Europe’s most promising Nigerian forwards. He scored 31 league goals in 79 appearances, performances that earned him a reported £24 million transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers on a four-year contract in September 2025.
Fresh Start After Difficult Period
The move to Ajax follows a challenging period for Arokodare at Wolves.
Reports had claimed the striker refused to train during his final weeks at the club, allegations he publicly denied.
In a statement posted on social media, Arokodare insisted he had always maintained a professional attitude throughout his career and remained committed to high training standards.
His arrival also adds further competition to Ajax’s attacking department, while uncertainty continues to surround the future of Danish striker Kasper Dolberg, who has been linked with a possible departure from the club.
For Arokodare, the loan move presents another opportunity to rediscover the goalscoring form that made him one of the standout Nigerian strikers in Belgium and helped earn his move to the Premier League.