By Wale Mustapha
Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has etched his name in KRC Genk’s history books, completing a record-breaking transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.
The 23-year-old Super Eagles forward sealed his move after Wolves agreed to pay €27 million, the highest fee ever received by the Belgian club. He successfully underwent medical tests on Saturday.
Genk had signed Arokodare from French Ligue 2 side Amiens for just €5 million in January 2023, making a massive profit in just over a year.
The previous record outgoing transfer for Genk was Sander Berge’s €25 million switch to Sheffield United in 2020. Other high-profile departures include Kevin De Bruyne and Wilfred Ndidi, who both went on to become key figures in European football.
Arokodare arrives at Molineux with high expectations after finishing as the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer last season with 21 goals. His physical presence and finishing ability made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.
The move also carries historic significance, as Arokodare becomes only the second Nigerian to represent Wolves, following in the footsteps of former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
