Rita Chikwelu becomes first Nigeria woman to join Saudi Arabia from Europe

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria midfielder, Rita Chikwelu has joined Saudi Arabia side, Al-Shabab FC on permanent basis.

Chikwelu joined her new team from Spanish outfit, Levante Las Planas after a season with her former side. The switch saw her become the first Super Falcons player to move to the oil rich Saudi Arabian topflight.

The 35-year-old played 27 league games with an assist for Las Planas before completing her switch to the emerging Saudi women’s league. She became the first Nigerian women’s football player to join the Saudi Arabian league.

After an illustrious career with Umea and Kristianstad both in Sweden, she moved to Madrid CFF in Spain ahead of the 2019/2022 season. Her last two seasons with Umea saw her scoring seven goals in 42 league games.

She also scored a total number of 12 goals in 64 league games for Kristianstad over three seasons. At Madrid CFF, Chikwelu scored five goals in 64 league games.

Chikwelu participated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup from 2004 to 2008 and made her senior national team debut in 2007 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

She was a member of the Nigerian Olympic team which participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in China and a member of the Nigerian squad in the 2011 FIFA women’s World Cup.

The 35-year-old midfielder has won the 2016 and 2018 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles.