Super Falcons and 2024 WAFCON winning striker, Asisat Oshoala has completed a surprise and high-profile move to Al Hilal, signing a two-year contract with the Saudi Women’s Premier League side, leaving Bay FC After one-and-a-half season.
The deal was finalized Monday morning after the 30-year-old successfully completed her medical in Riyadh, ahead of the Saudi league’s summer transfer window deadline.
“Asisat has signed a two-year contract after completing her medicals in Riyadh on Monday morning,” (Source:- ESPN).
Oshoala’s switch marks another major acquisition for Al Hilal, who finished sixth in the 2024-25 campaign as the competition expanded from eight to 10 teams.
Al Hilal Snaps Up Another Nigerian Star
Oshoala joins fellow Super Falcons teammates Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega in Saudi Arabia as the ambitious Saudi Women’s Premier League continues to attract international talent.
The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year leaves Bay FC after joining the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion club ahead of their debut season in 2024.
She scored seven regular-season goals and added one assist in her first campaign, helping Bay FC finish seventh and qualify for the playoffs before bowing out in the quarterfinals to Washington Spirit.
This season, Oshoala’s role diminished, with just five starts in 12 matches and no goals or assists before her departure. She was listed as an “excused absence” for Monday’s game against Angel City, signaling her imminent move.
A Fresh Start for Asisat Oshoala
Looking at Asisat Oshoala’s résumé prior to signing with Bay FC, her tenure with Barcelona was successful. THis is because the Nigerian international owns to her name, 107 goals in 149 appearances across five seasons.
However, the two-time Ballon d’Or nominee was as productive for Bay, despite scoring the team’s first-ever goal.
Oshoala earned 23 starts in 25 games for Bay FC’s last season, scoring seven goals. This year, she’s seen less of the pitch, making five starts across 12 matches without a goal.
Decorated Career Across Three Continents
Oshoala leaves the U.S. after a glittering career across Europe, Asia, and Africa:
- Arsenal & Liverpool (England): Brief but impactful spells in the Women’s Super League.
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Dalian Quanjian (China): Spent two seasons with the Chinese powerhouse before moving to Spain.
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Barcelona (2019-2024): Scored 107 goals in 149 appearances, winning five Liga F titles and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies (2021, 2023).
- Nigeria: Four-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champion, including this year’s title.
Oshoala was also a two-time Ballon d’Or nominee and remains one of Africa’s most decorated footballers of all time.