Nigeria-eligible forward Ayomide Junaid has ended her spell with Arsenal Women, just months after the departure of her sister Omotara. The teenage striker cut ties with the European champions earlier this summer and has since travelled to the United States alongside her brother, Tolu Junaid, who was part of the Golden Eaglets’ training camp in 2023.
Ayomide, who earned her first England U15 call-up in March 2025, has now signed with Benfica’s Residential Academy, where she is expected to continue her development in a competitive environment renowned for nurturing young talent.
Editorial
We view Ayomide Junaid’s move from Arsenal to Benfica as a bold and potentially career-defining step. For a young player, choosing the right environment can matter as much as raw talent. Arsenal may boast prestige, but Benfica’s academy has a proven track record of accelerating the growth of promising prospects through consistent game time, elite coaching, and a pathway to senior football.
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This departure also highlights the growing trend of young players seeking development opportunities beyond the glamour of established English clubs. It’s a reminder that ambition sometimes requires change, and that success often lies in environments where individual progress is prioritised over brand allure.
We believe Ayomide’s decision reflects maturity beyond her years. Surrounded by family members equally committed to football, she is well-placed to make the most of Benfica’s structured programme. If her progress continues on its current trajectory, this could be the move that transforms a promising career into an exceptional one.
Did You Know?
- Benfica’s Residential Academy, located in Seixal, Portugal, is regarded as one of Europe’s best youth facilities, producing stars like João Félix and Rúben Dias.
- Ayomide’s sister, Omotara Junaid, left Arsenal earlier in 2025 to pursue her football career in a different environment.
- Portugal’s women’s league has grown rapidly in recent years, attracting increasing numbers of foreign youth players.
- Ayomide made her England U15 debut against Scotland in a friendly earlier this year.
- The Junaid family has multiple football connections—brother Tolu Junaid trained with Nigeria’s U17 Golden Eaglets in 2023.
