Tolu Arokodare’s journey in football has taken him from Lagos, Nigeria, to some of Europe’s competitive leagues. His breakthrough came at Belgian club KRC Genk, where he finished as the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer in the 2024–25 season with 21 goals. The achievement marked a major milestone in his career and brought him recognition as one of the league’s leading forwards.
However, his rise did not happen overnight. From developing his skills in Nigeria to gaining experience in Latvia, Germany and France, Arokodare worked his way through different stages of European football before finding his scoring form in Belgium.
Tolu Arokodare’s Early Life and Education
Born on 23 November 2000 in Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria, Toluwalase Emmanuel Arokodare developed an interest in football from a young age. He began his football training at Kash Academy before moving to Flying Sports Academy, where he continued to develop his skills.
Arokodare later attended Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy (SOCA) in Wasimi, Ogun State. The institution combines academic education with sports training, providing an environment where students can pursue their education while developing their athletic abilities. His time at SOCA formed part of his early development as he worked towards a future in professional football.
He subsequently continued his football development with Box2Box FC in Surulere, Lagos. These early experiences helped prepare him for the next stage of his career, as he pursued opportunities to play professionally outside Nigeria.
How Tolu Arokodare Started His European Career
Tolu Arokodare began his European football career in June 2019 when he joined Latvian club Valmiera FC. He made his senior debut on 30 June 2019 against BFC Daugavpils, marking the beginning of his journey in professional European football. He scored seven league goals during his first season, showing early promise as a young striker.
His second season at Valmiera brought even better results. Arokodare scored 15 league goals in 16 appearances in 2020, bringing his total to 22 league goals for the club. His performances attracted attention from other European teams and opened the door to a move to Germany.
In September 2020, Arokodare joined German side 1. FC Köln on loan. However, he struggled to secure regular playing time, making 10 Bundesliga appearances without scoring a league goal. He moved to French club Amiens SC on loan in 2021, where he had more opportunities to play. Across two seasons in France’s Ligue 2, he scored 14 league goals in 55 appearances, gaining more experience in senior football.
In January 2023, Arokodare moved to Belgian club KRC Genk. Having played in Latvia, Germany and France, he arrived in Belgium with experience from different football environments. His time at Genk would give him the opportunity to build on that experience and establish himself as one of the league’s leading goalscorers.
Tolu Arokodare’s Breakthrough Season at Genk
Tolu Arokodare had been developing steadily since joining KRC Genk in January 2023, but the 2024–25 season marked a turning point in his career. He became one of the club’s leading attacking players, scoring consistently in the Belgian Pro League and establishing himself as one of the competition’s most effective forwards.
Arokodare finished the league season with 21 goals, earning the Belgian Pro League’s top-scorer award. He also recorded six assists, demonstrating his contribution to Genk’s attack beyond finding the back of the net. His performances helped make him one of the standout players in Belgian football that season.
His achievements extended beyond the league’s scoring charts. In May 2025, Arokodare won the Belgian Ebony Shoe, an award presented to the best player of African descent in Belgium’s top division. He was also named in the Belgian Pro League Team of the Season, adding further recognition to an outstanding campaign.
By the end of his time at Genk, Arokodare had made 113 appearances across competitions, scoring 41 goals and providing 12 assists. His performances in Belgium attracted interest from English clubs, and in September 2025, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Tolu Arokodare International Career with the Super Eagles
Tolu Arokodare earned his first call-up to Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, in March 2025 following his impressive performances for KRC Genk in Belgium. His invitation marked an important milestone in his career, giving him the opportunity to represent Nigeria at senior international level.
He made his international debut on 21 March 2025 against Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Nigeria won 2–0, giving Arokodare a positive start to his international career. He later scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Russia on 6 June 2025, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
His progress with the national team added another dimension to his career as he continued to establish himself in European football. Representing Nigeria also gave him an opportunity to contribute at international level while competing for his place among the country’s attacking options.
Tolu Arokodare’s Premier League Challenge at Wolves
After an impressive spell at KRC Genk, Tolu Arokodare moved to English football in September 2025 when Wolverhampton Wanderers signed him on a four-year contract. The reported transfer fee was around £24 million, making it a significant step in his career. However, adapting to the Premier League proved challenging.
Arokodare scored his first goal for Wolves in an EFL Cup match against Everton in September 2025. During the 2025–26 season, he made 38 appearances across competitions and scored six goals. In the Premier League, he recorded three goals and one assist in 33 appearances.
His first season coincided with a difficult campaign for Wolves, who were relegated from the Premier League. Arokodare faced competition for a starting place and started only one of the club’s final ten matches. Although he had opportunities to contribute, he did not reproduce the scoring form that had made him one of Belgium’s leading forwards.
After one season in England, Arokodare moved to Dutch club Ajax in July 2026 on a season-long loan, with an option for the Dutch side to make the transfer permanent. The move offered him an opportunity to rebuild momentum and continue his career in another European league.
Tolu Arokodare’s New Chapter at Ajax
In July 2026, Tolu Arokodare joined Dutch club Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with an option for the club to make the move permanent. The transfer gave the Nigerian striker another opportunity to establish himself after a difficult first season in English football.
Arokodare arrived in Amsterdam with experience from several European leagues, having played in Latvia, Germany, France, Belgium and England. At Ajax, he wears the number 99 shirt, a number he explained was inspired by seeing Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho wear it at AC Milan when he was younger.
His move also brought him closer to one of his football role models, former Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu, who played for Ajax during the 1990s. In his first interview with the club, Arokodare spoke about the significance of joining a team with a history of Nigerian players and described Kanu as a football legend.
Arokodare has made an encouraging start to the 2026–27 season. By late October 2026, he had scored four goals and provided one assist in the Eredivisie, according to Opta Analyst. He had also scored in the UEFA Conference League, adding to his early contribution at the Dutch club.
His time at Ajax gives him an opportunity to build on his success at Genk while continuing to develop after his experience in England. Whether the loan becomes permanent will depend on his performances and Ajax’s decision at the end of the season.
Tolu Arokodare’s Legacy and Impact
Tolu Arokodare’s career reflects the progress he has made from his early football development in Lagos to competing in several European leagues and representing Nigeria at senior international level. His journey has involved adapting to different teams and countries while continuing to pursue opportunities to develop as a striker.
One of the biggest highlights of his career so far remains the 2024–25 season at KRC Genk. Finishing as the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer with 21 goals, winning the Belgian Ebony Shoe and earning a place in the league’s Team of the Season brought him recognition for his performances in Belgium. These achievements helped establish him as a forward capable of competing at a high level.
His subsequent move to Wolverhampton Wanderers and loan spell at Ajax have exposed him to different challenges and styles of football. Alongside his international career with the Super Eagles, these experiences continue to shape his development as a professional footballer.
For young Nigerian players hoping to build careers abroad, Arokodare’s progress offers an example of how playing opportunities in different countries can form part of a longer journey towards success. His career is still unfolding, and his performances in the coming seasons will help determine the milestones for which he is best remembered.
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