Real Madrid transfer: How Nigeria star replaced Schröder after Nottingham Forest exit

Nigeria Super Falcons forward Joy Omewa has completed a move to Swedish top-flight club BK Häcken after leaving Nottingham Forest as a free agent, Afrik-Foot reports.

Omewa’s transfer comes after Real Madrid signed Häcken’s star striker Felicia Schröder.

According to reports from Swedish broadcaster SVT via DailyPost, the 23-year-old Nigerian has agreed a deal with the Damallsvenskan club following the expiration of her short-term contract with Nottingham Forest last month. The move gives Omewa another opportunity to continue her rise in European football after spending the second half of the 2025-26 season in England.

BK Häcken moved quickly to strengthen their attack after losing their leading scorer Schröder, who completed a high-profile transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid earlier this week.

The 19-year-old Sweden international enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season that attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Chelsea. She also played a major role in Häcken’s success by scoring all four goals across the two legs of the Women’s Europa Cup final as the club lifted the inaugural title.

Although neither Häcken nor Schröder’s agent, Linus Gunnarsson, revealed the transfer fee, both described it as the biggest transfer in women’s football history. It remains unclear whether the deal set a new world-record fee.

Omewa now arrives in Gothenburg with the responsibility of helping fill the gap left by arguably Europe’s most exciting young forward. The Nigerian also reunites with fellow Super Falcons midfielder Halimatu Ayinde, who is already an important member of the BK Häcken squad.

Nigeria’s Omewa: Journey to Sweden’s top flight

Omewa’s move continues an impressive European journey that began in Denmark after developing her game with Nigerian clubs Osun Babes and Confluence Queens.

She first moved abroad in 2021 to Danish side Boldklubben af 1893, where she adjusted to European football before earning a transfer to Fortuna Hjørring.

Her time at Fortuna turned her into a household name in Denmark. During the club’s memorable 2024-25 campaign, Omewa scored 22 goals in 24 league matches as Fortuna Hjørring won both the Danish league title and the domestic cup. Her outstanding performances earned her the Kvindeligaen Player of the Season award, while she also featured in UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying matches.

Those displays convinced Nottingham Forest Women to sign her during the January 2026 transfer window. Although her stay in England lasted only six months, she still made a positive impression by scoring three goals in nine league appearances while starting every match before her contract expired at the end of the campaign.

Her club progress has also been matched by rapid growth on the international stage. After representing Nigeria at youth level with the U-17 and U-20 teams, Omewa made her senior Super Falcons debut last October, coming off the bench in a 2-0 WAFCON qualifying victory away to Benin.

She announced herself even more strongly this June by scoring her first senior international goals, netting twice in Nigeria’s 3-0 friendly victory over Senegal. Those performances helped secure her place in the Super Falcons’ final 25-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

With a fresh challenge in Sweden, Omewa has the chance to build on her impressive scoring record and prove she can help BK Häcken remain competitive after losing Schröder to Real Madrid.