Who is Tolu Arokodare? Wolves’ New Nigerian Striker

Tolu Arokodare was reportedly of interest to a whole host of clubs across Europe throughout the 2025 summer transfer window, and the Nigerian striker finally secured his move on transfer deadline day.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were the side to secure Arokodare’s signature, completing a £24m deal with Genk to bring the striker to the Molineux Stadium, with the forward signing a four-year deal with a 12-month option.

Speaking after completing the move, Arokodare said:

“It feels amazing. It did take a while, but I’m here finally, and I’m happy to be here. I didn’t need convincing. I know the history of the club and the players that have been here and how they’ve progressed to become better players. I like the project of the club, and that’s what I want for myself. I want to improve and I want to progress, and help this team.”

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Golden Boot winner

Arokodare makes the move to the Premier League on the back of a wonderful 2024/25 campaign in Belgium which saw the striker claim the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot, having scored 21 times in 40 league matches, while the 24-year-old netted 23 times in 45 appearances across all competitions.

Reflecting on that achievement, he said:

“I would say there is still that confidence from last season. I haven’t played as many minutes this season for obvious reasons, but hopefully I can get back to playing more minutes and I can get back to my goal scoring form.

“It [the golden boot] was very nice. It wasn’t easy, because there was very good competition. To be honest, and to give credit to the other guy, I was joint top scorer, but it was an amazing feeling. It felt like a well done, it was just a little bit sad that we didn’t win the title, but it was also something to take home with me.”

The journey so far

The striker, who has appeared four times for the Nigerian national team and scored his first international goal against Russia in June 2025, started his career in Nigeria before moving to Valmiera FC in 2019.

Arokodare scored 22 goals in 34 matches for Valmiera before moving to FC Köln on loan, followed by a two-year loan move to Amiens, where 21 goals and two assists in 63 appearances earned him a move to Genk.

The striker’s scoring exploits improved every season during his time in Belgium, scoring two goals in his first season in 2022/23, followed by 15 goals in 2023/24 and 23 goals in 2024/25, while he also netted once in five matches at the start of this campaign.

Ready for EPL challenge

The 6’6” striker earned reported interest from the likes of Manchester United and Napoli, but after both clubs moved for other targets, Wolverhampton Wanderers were able to bring the Super Eagles star to Molineux.

On adapting to Wolves, he explained:

“I think I’ll fit in pretty good. If you, for example, look at the strikers that we have now, we’re almost the same profile, so it won’t be difficult for me to adapt. You could see how good [Jorgen Strand] Larsen did last season, and I’m just here to help the team.”

And on the challenge of English football:

“The Premier League is a league full of physicality, high intensity, a lot of runs, and I think I’m that kind of player. I think I’m strong, I’m fast. Obviously, the first few games and weeks won’t be the easiest, but it’s a challenge that I think I’m ready for, and I think I’ll fit in pretty good.

“It was time already. I had my mind set here, this is where I wanted to be, because I played in Germany, France, Belgium, and I think it was just here missing, and finally I’m happy to be here.”

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Looking ahead

Arokodare’s first appearance for Wolverhampton Wanderers could be in an away trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on 13 September.

For now, his focus is on the international break with Nigeria:

“I wouldn’t say I’m completely match fit, because I haven’t played more than 30 minutes in a single game, but I’m going to the national team now, and hopefully I get to play games, and if it doesn’t happen, I’ll just try to stay fit and come back and be in top form for the team.

“I can’t wait to meet the guys, to meet the coach, and to start training with the team. I tried on the jerseys yesterday, the three different ones, they felt nice, they felt amazing, they felt right. I can’t wait for the first game, the first home game, if I’m starting, if I’m coming off the bench, if I’m on the bench, not playing, I can’t wait just to be in front of the fans.”

Tolu Arokodare is in the Super Eagles squad for the must-win World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. Back Nigeria to get the job done now vs Rwanda here!