At a Glance
- Asisat Oshoala signs two-year contract with Al Hilal, boosting Saudi Women’s Premier League profile.
- Oshoala leaves Bay FC after the NWSL season, seeking more minutes and goal-scoring form.
- Six-time African Player of the Year joins Saudi push to attract global stars and investment.
Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala has completed a two-year contract with Al Hilal in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, marking one of the biggest moves in African women’s football this year.
The agreement was sealed on Monday following her medical tests in Riyadh, according to people familiar with the deal.
Star striker leaves Bay FC for Middle East move
Oshoala, 30, exits Bay FC after just one season in the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She featured in 25 matches for the expansion side, making 23 starts and scoring seven goals, alongside one assist in her debut campaign.
However, her playing time dipped this season, with only five starts across 12 matches and no goal contributions. Bay FC listed her as absent in their latest fixture against Angel City, signaling the conclusion of her stint in California.
Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya earlier pointed to Oshoala’s adjustment challenges in the highly competitive and physical NWSL, particularly regarding defensive duties.
While her pedigree as one of Africa’s most decorated players was undisputed, Montoya stressed the league’s demanding style required adaptation.
Africa’s most decorated Women’s Footballer
Oshoala remains the most successful African female footballer of her generation. A six-time African Women’s Player of the Year and two-time Ballon d’Or nominee, she previously spent five prolific seasons at Barcelona, netting 107 goals in 149 appearances.
Her haul included five Spanish league titles and two UEFA Women’s Champions League crowns, establishing her as one of the game’s most clinical strikers.
Before her Barcelona chapter, Oshoala represented Arsenal and Liverpool in England’s Women’s Super League and played in China with Dalian Quanjian.
She began her career in Nigeria with Lagos-based Robo FC and Rivers Angels, earning an early reputation as a lethal forward.
On the international stage, Oshoala has been a cornerstone of the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, helping them secure multiple Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) titles.
However, her role was reduced in the 2024 edition, where she featured sparingly despite Nigeria’s record-extending 10th triumph.
Growing Nigerian presence in Saudi Arabia
Her transfer adds to the rising list of Nigerian internationals heading to Saudi Arabia, with Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega already competing in the kingdom’s women’s league.
The Saudi Women’s Premier League has been aggressively recruiting global talent as part of the country’s broader investment in sports.
Al Hilal, who finished sixth last season in an expanded 10-team competition, is banking on Oshoala’s experience and goal-scoring prowess to strengthen its squad and challenge rivals for titles.
For Oshoala, the move signals a new chapter in a glittering career, positioning her at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s bid to grow women’s football and attract international attention to the league.
