Ajax Amsterdam have completed the signing of Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Dutch champions also inserting an option to convert the move into a permanent transfer, the club announced on Wednesday.
Quick facts
- Ajax sign Tolu Arokodare from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan.
- The agreement includes an option for Ajax to make the deal permanent.
- The loan runs until the summer of 2027.
- Ahead of Thursday’s European tie, Ajax lead Vojvodina 4-1 from the first leg.
The loan is set to continue through to the summer of 2027, taking Arokodare through another full campaign with Ajax. The 25-year-old arrives after a first season in England where he was used mostly as a substitute during Wolves’ Premier League campaign, though he still contributed six goals across all competitions.
Ajax’s technical leadership believes the striker brings a missing dimension to the squad. Technical director Jordi Cruyff said the move fills a specific need, describing Arokodare as a physically strong forward with a proven record in front of goal, adding that the club expect him to play a key role in the team next season.
Career path and international record
Arokodare was born in Festac, Lagos, on 23 November 2000. He started his career at Box2Box FC before heading to Europe in 2019, joining Latvian outfit Valmiera FC.
He later played for 1. FC Köln in Germany and Amiens SC in France before moving to Belgium with KRC Genk in the winter of 2023. At Genk, he ended the 2024-25 campaign as the Jupiler Pro League’s top scorer, form that ultimately led to his transfer to Wolves in mid-2025.
On the international stage, Arokodare has earned ten caps for the Super Eagles.
Speaking about the switch, he framed the move as a personal milestone. “It’s amazing, it’s a really nice feeling,” Arokodare said, adding that as a child he had followed the club closely and never expected to line up for Ajax in reality.
Ajax’s timing also matters, with the club already deep into their Conference League qualifying phase. They will play Vojvodina in the second leg of the second qualifying round on Thursday, carrying a 4-1 advantage from the first match in Serbia.
