Tolu Arokodare: Ranking the 8 greatest Super Eagles stars in Ajax’s history

Ajax have reached an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare on a season-long loan, Afrik-Foot reports.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Dutch giants will pay a £1 million loan fee and cover the Nigerian’s full salary during the deal. Ajax also have the option to make the move permanent next summer for €22 million, while Wolves could receive another £500,000 if Ajax qualify for European competition.

The 25-year-old striker reportedly turned down offers from Serie A clubs Fiorentina and Genoa, as well as Turkish side Trabzonspor, to complete the switch to Amsterdam.

His move also continues a proud tradition of Nigerian players at Ajax. Over the last three decades, several Super Eagles stars have worn the famous white-and-red shirt, with some becoming club legends and others leaving only brief memories.

Here is a ranking of eight Nigerian players who helped shape Ajax’s history before Arokodare.

Super Eagles greatest figures at Ajax

8. Christopher Kanu

Christopher Kanu never enjoyed the same success as his older brother Nwankwo Kanu, but he remains part of Ajax’s Nigerian story. He joined Ajax’s youth system in 1995 before moving into the senior squad as a right-back. Breaking into the first team proved difficult because Ajax had a strong squad during that period.

Between 1999 and 2001, Christopher made just 15 senior appearances without scoring. Ajax regularly sent him on loan to FC Lugano, Deportivo Alavés and Sparta Rotterdam in search of regular football. His time in Spain ended badly after disciplinary problems led Alavés to send him back to Amsterdam before the end of his loan.

Ajax eventually released him in February 2002, four months before his contract expired. Although he never became a regular starter, his time at Ajax helped him earn three appearances for Nigeria during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

7. Chuba Akpom

Chuba Akpom arrived at Ajax from Middlesbrough in August 2023 after winning the English Championship Golden Boot. Ajax paid around €12.3 million for the striker, and despite joining during one of the club’s most difficult seasons in recent history, he quickly became an important player.

Akpom was often used from the bench but still scored 11 Eredivisie goals in just over 1,000 league minutes during his first season. He also added three goals in the UEFA Europa League. His impact made history as he became the first Ajax player to score as a substitute in three consecutive Eredivisie matches.

However, things changed the following season. Ajax wanted a more possession-based style that did not fully suit Akpom’s strengths inside the penalty area. He scored three league goals before spending time on loan with Lille, where he added three more goals in France.

By 2025, his salary had become one of the highest at the club, making a departure likely. After Ipswich Town secured promotion to the Premier League in 2026, their purchase clause became active, ending Akpom’s Ajax career with 68 appearances and 23 goals.

6. Calvin Bassey

Calvin Bassey arrived in Amsterdam with huge expectations after Ajax paid Rangers a club-record €23 million to replace Lisandro Martínez.

His start could hardly have been worse. Only 15 minutes into his competitive debut against PSV Eindhoven in the Johan Cruyff Shield, Bassey was shown a straight red card.

Despite the difficult beginning, the Nigerian defender showed his athletic ability throughout the season. His pace, strength and recovery runs often helped Ajax, but adapting to the club’s demanding passing style proved much harder. Dutch football legends Wesley Sneijder and Marco van Basten publicly criticised his performances on the ball as Ajax struggled through an unstable campaign under Alfred Schreuder and John Heitinga.

Bassey still contributed one league goal, three assists and an assist on his Champions League debut against former club Rangers in a comfortable 4-0 victory. Ajax finished third in the Eredivisie, and after just one season, both club and player agreed it was best to move on. Fulham signed him for €22.5 million in 2023, where he quickly rebuilt his reputation in the Premier League under Marco Silva.

5. Pius Ikedia

Few Ajax wingers were as exciting to watch as Pius Ikedia. The speedy Nigerian joined Ajax from ASEC Mimosas in 1999 and became known for his explosive pace, fearless dribbling and ability to change matches from the bench. Although he made only 25 Eredivisie appearances and scored twice, Ikedia played his part as Ajax won both the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup during the 2001-02 season.

Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from becoming a regular starter. He also faced fierce competition from Ajax’s famous academy graduates, making it difficult to hold down a place in the starting line-up.

Loans to FC Groningen and RBC Roosendaal followed before he eventually left permanently for AZ Alkmaar in 2005. Even after retirement, Ikedia’s relationship with Ajax remained strong. He settled in Amsterdam and regularly represented Lucky Ajax, the club’s veterans team.

4. Sunday Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh arrived at Ajax in 1997 and immediately became the heartbeat of the midfield. One of Africa’s smartest midfielders, Oliseh controlled games with accurate passing, excellent positioning and powerful tackling. Instead of simply breaking up attacks, he helped Ajax build play from deep with long diagonal passes and quick transitions.

His leadership was equally important. Oliseh demanded high standards from teammates and often encouraged younger players to improve. Fellow Nigerian Tijani Babangida later revealed that Oliseh constantly urged him to shoot more often, advice that helped transform his attacking game.

During the 1997-98 season, Oliseh played 30 league matches as Ajax won the Eredivisie title while scoring an incredible 112 league goals. He also helped the club beat PSV Eindhoven 5-0 in the KNVB Cup final to complete the domestic double. Another Dutch Cup followed in 1999 before Juventus signed him, ending a successful two-year stay in Amsterdam.

3. Tijani Babangida

Replacing Finidi George was never going to be easy, but Tijani Babangida built his own legacy at Ajax. Signed in 1996, the winger became famous for his breathtaking speed and direct attacking style.

His greatest European moment came in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético Madrid, when he scored the winning goal in the 119th minute to send Ajax into the semi-finals.

The following season was even better. Babangida scored 13 Eredivisie goals in just 26 matches as Ajax dominated Dutch football, winning the title by a huge margin. He also opened the scoring in the KNVB Cup final against PSV as Ajax completed another domestic double.

His exciting style made him a favourite among supporters, while his partnership with Sunday Oliseh became one of the strongest Nigerian combinations in European football. His popularity even stretched beyond football. Dutch international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders was named after Babangida by his football-loving parents, showing the lasting impact the winger made in the Netherlands.

2. Nwankwo Kanu

Few African teenagers have ever arrived in Europe with as much talent as Nwankwo Kanu. Ajax signed the striker from Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1993 after he captained Nigeria to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Championship. Over three remarkable seasons, Kanu scored 25 goals in 54 appearances while helping Ajax become one of the best teams in the world.

The biggest moment came in 1995. At just 18 years and 296 days old, Kanu came off the bench in the UEFA Champions League final as Ajax defeated AC Milan 1-0 in Vienna. He became the youngest player to win the competition, a record that still stands.

Ajax also won three straight Eredivisie titles, the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup during Kanu’s stay. Unlike many tall forwards, Kanu combined elegant dribbling, clever passing and superb technique with his 6ft 6in frame, making him almost impossible to defend.

His success at Ajax launched an extraordinary career that later included Olympic gold with Nigeria, African Footballer of the Year honours and a move to Inter Milan.

1. Finidi George

Finidi George remains the greatest Nigerian player to represent Ajax. Signed alongside Kanu in 1993, the winger became a key figure in Louis van Gaal’s legendary team. His pace, intelligence and accurate crossing made him the perfect fit for Ajax’s famous attacking system.

During his peak years, many football experts considered Finidi the best right winger in the world. His performances earned him 21st place in the 1995 Ballon d’Or rankings, an outstanding achievement for an African player at the time.

Finidi helped Ajax win three consecutive Eredivisie titles, the 1995 UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and several domestic trophies. He played the full 90 minutes in the famous Champions League final victory over AC Milan and started again when Ajax reached the final against Juventus the following season.

Beyond the medals, Finidi helped change Ajax’s approach to scouting African talent. His success, alongside Kanu, convinced the Dutch club to continue investing in Nigerian footballers for many years.

With Tolu Arokodare now preparing to wear the Ajax shirt, he has the chance to add his own chapter to a remarkable Nigerian story in Amsterdam.