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Tolu Arokodare hopes to make Ajax move permanent after loan switch from Wolves
Tolu Arokodare says he wants to stay at Ajax permanently if he can make a successful impact during his season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Nigeria international joined the Dutch Eredivisie club recently in a temporary deal which includes a non-mandatory option for Ajax to buy him at the end of the season.
Arokodare made an immediate impression after scoring only 17 minutes into his Ajax debut, although the match was unofficial. The forward found the net as Ajax beat Volendam 3-1 on Sunday.
The move gives Arokodare an opportunity to rebuild his momentum following a difficult first season at Molineux. Despite struggling to establish himself with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the striker has developed a reputation for regularly scoring goals during previous spells elsewhere.
He finished as the 2024-25 Belgian Pro League’s leading scorer after finding the net 21 times in 40 appearances. That campaign added to an impressive record built during earlier periods with Valmiera FC and Amiens SC, for whom he scored a combined 43 goals in 97 matches.
Asked about his intentions once the loan agreement ends, Arokodare was quoted as saying by Ajax Life: “I can’t say that yet. Ajax is a great team, but the clubs decide. The mentality is there, the people are nice, and the supporters are amazing.
“As a footballer, you want to win and score. If I manage to do that here, naturally I want to stay.”
The 24-year-old’s future therefore remains dependent on the two clubs, with Ajax holding the option to make the transfer permanent rather than being obliged to sign him.
For now, Arokodare is focused on taking his opportunity in Amsterdam and contributing goals for Ajax. His quick start against Volendam offered an early indication of the attacking threat he could provide, although the fixture was not an official competitive match.
The striker remains under contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers until 30 June 2029, meaning the Premier League club retains control of his long-term future unless Ajax decide to activate the purchase option.
Arokodare’s previous scoring record will be central to expectations surrounding his loan spell. Before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers, he had established himself as a productive forward in Belgium and had also shown his finishing ability with Valmiera FC and Amiens SC.
His Ajax move now provides the Nigeria international with the chance to turn that record into a sustained period of success at one of the Netherlands’ leading clubs. If he can combine regular goals with a strong campaign, a permanent transfer could become a realistic possibility.
