Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare from Belgian club Genk on a four-year deal, with an option for an additional year. The move, finalised on the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window, is reported to be worth £24 million.
Arokodare’s arrival addresses a pressing need for Wolves, who have struggled in the early stages of the Premier League season. The club has suffered three consecutive defeats, highlighting the necessity for reinforcements in the attacking department. The departure of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United for £62.5 million further emphasized the void left in the squad.
The 24-year-old forward joins from Genk, where he enjoyed a prolific spell, finishing as the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer last season with 21 goals. Across all competitions, he netted 23 times and provided seven assists, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to contribute to the team’s attacking play.
Born in Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria, Arokodare began his professional career in Europe with Latvian side Valmiera in 2019. He then had loan spells in Germany with 1. FC Köln and in France with Amiens before moving to Genk in 2023. His consistent performances in Belgium have earned him recognition, including the prestigious Ebony Shoe award for the best African player in Belgium.
Upon completing his move to Molineux, Arokodare expressed his enthusiasm for joining Wolves, stating, “This is where I wanted to be.” He highlighted the club’s history and its track record of developing players as key factors in his decision to make the move.
In his first interview with Wolves Media, Arokodare discussed his style of play and his potential role within the team. He noted similarities between himself and fellow striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, suggesting that their comparable profiles would allow for a seamless integration into the squad.
Arokodare emphasized his readiness to contribute, saying, “I think I’ll fit in pretty good. If you, for example, look at the strikers that we have now, we’re almost the same profile, so it won’t be difficult for me to adapt. You could see how good [Jørgen Strand] Larsen did last season, and I’m just here to help the team.” This statement reflects his confidence and determination to make an immediate impact.
Wolves’ head coach, Vítor Pereira, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, stating, “Tolu’s arrival adds depth and quality to our attacking options. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself, and we believe he will complement our existing forwards well.” Pereira’s endorsement underscores the club’s expectations for Arokodare to contribute significantly to their offensive strategies.
The signing of Arokodare is part of Wolves’ broader strategy to strengthen their squad and improve their performance in the Premier League. With the transfer window now closed, the club will look to integrate their new signing into the team promptly.