Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala is close to completing a move to Saudi Arabian Women’s Premier League side Al-Hilal, according to reports. The forward arrived in Riyadh on Monday and successfully underwent her medicals, with an official announcement expected soon.
The Athletic revealed that Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States have agreed terms with Al-Hilal for her transfer.
Oshoala only joined Bay FC from Barcelona Femení in February 2024 and scored on her debut in a 1-0 win over Angel City. Her final appearance for the American club came in a 3-2 defeat to Washington Spirit last weekend.
The 30 year old’s move adds to the growing presence of Nigerian talent in the Saudi league. Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega feature for Al-Ittihad, Rita Chikwelu plays for Al-Riyadh, while Chinonyerem Macleans is with Al-Shabab.
Editorial
We view Oshoala’s imminent switch to Al-Hilal as another clear marker of the global reach of women’s football. A player of her pedigree leaving the NWSL after just over a year is not a setback but a reflection of shifting ambitions in the sport.
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We must recognise the appeal that Saudi Arabia now holds. Strong investment and the determination to build a competitive league are pulling proven stars like Oshoala. For the league, this is not just about adding firepower it is about credibility and visibility on a world stage.
We also believe Oshoala’s presence will sharpen the focus on African representation in the Middle East. Her move is likely to inspire more Nigerian players to test themselves in Saudi Arabia, following the trail already blazed by Plumptre, Ordega, Chikwelu, and Macleans.
We cannot overlook the symbolic weight of this transfer. Al-Hilal are securing not only a prolific striker but also a leader who embodies resilience, global recognition, and an ability to raise standards wherever she plays.
And so we return to our central view: this move underlines the changing balance of women’s football, where ambition, opportunity, and influence converge beyond traditional European strongholds.
Did You Know?
1. Al-Hilal’s women’s team was formed in 2022, part of Saudi Arabia’s rapid expansion into women’s football.
2. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation officially launched its first professional women’s league in 2020, making it one of the newest top-tier leagues in the world.
3. Oshoala has played professionally on three different continents: Africa (Nigeria), Europe (England, Spain), and North America (USA)—Saudi Arabia now makes it four.
4. During her Barcelona career, Oshoala became the first African woman to score in a UEFA Champions League final, doing so in 2019 against Lyon.
5. Al-Hilal’s men’s side is the most successful club in Asian football, with a record four AFC Champions League titles, and the women’s team aims to mirror that dominance domestically.
