Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has expressed excitement over his move to Ajax, following the completion of a season-long loan switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers. As a result, the Nigerian international is now set to begin a new chapter of his career in Dutch football.
Speaking in his first interview via the club’s website, Arokodare admitted that joining the Amsterdam giants still feels surreal to him. He described the move as an amazing feeling, noting that he never imagined lining up for a club with such a storied history of producing top strikers. Meanwhile, he pointed to Ajax’s tradition of developing and showcasing big attacking talents as part of what makes the switch special for him.
Consequently, the forward made his ambitions for the new campaign clear, declaring
“I can’t wait to get started, get going with the team, with the players.”
He went on to add, in his own words, that he is hopeful of finding the net regularly, picking up wins, and helping the club return to the summit of Dutch football.
Arokodare joins Ajax with an optional buy clause valued at around €22 million. This follows a difficult spell in England, where the former Genk star struggled for consistent form after his £24 million move from the Belgian club. He managed just three Premier League goals as Wolves suffered relegation last season.
Following this switch, Arokodare becomes the eighth Super Eagles player in history to turn out for Ajax, joining a lineage of Nigerian stars who have worn the famous red and white jersey. Notable names before him include Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu, Christopher Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Tijani Babangida, Pius Ikedia, and Calvin Bassey.
As a result, his move extends a decades-long connection between Nigerian football talent and the Dutch giants, and Super Eagles fans will be hoping he can replicate the impact of those who came before him.
Arokodare is expected to link up with his new Ajax teammates ahead of the new Eredivisie season, with the club looking to reclaim top spot in Dutch football. However, all eyes will be on whether he can rediscover the goalscoring form that made him a standout at Genk, and whether Ajax will eventually trigger the buy option to make his move permanent.
