Super Eagles star opens up on why he ignored Trabzonspor for EPL side

Super Eagles and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare has revealed why he opted to move to the English Premier League rather than joining Trabzonspor, Afrik Foot reports.

The 25-year-old was the top scorer in the Belgian Pro League during the 2024/2025 season, winning the golden boot as well as the Ebony shoe.

He’s struggled to replicate the form in England this season, but has now revealed that the situation could’ve been entirely different but for ex-Genk coach Thorsten Fink.

Super Eagles: Why Arokodare didn’t join Trabzonspor

The ex-Koln forward revealed he considered joining the Turkish Super Lig side after struggling to break into Genk’s season before Thorsten Fink’s arrival.

“I was a part of Europe’s highest goal scorers off the bench, but I wasn’t starting, so they changed the coach.

“The new coach came and texted me, telling me that I’m his striker, so he gave me the freedom to be me,” Arokodare said on the Counter Attack podcast.

“I didn’t play well in his first game, and the fans were telling the club to sell me when I had the offer from Trabzonspor.

“I was so close to joining Trabzonspor. The coach wanted me to stay, but he advised me to go because of the abuse I got from the fans.

“The offer was good, they were going to bring my family to Turkey, give my brothers jobs, a very good salary, and I thought about it, but then the coach said stay till the end of the season, and I’ll make you the top scorer.

“I wasn’t convinced because the offer from Genk was good, but I spoke to a lot of people like Boniface. However, I stayed, and I ended up being the top scorer,” the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker concluded.

Arokodare scored 23 goals under Thorsten Fink before he moved to the English top-flight.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently 20th on the English Premier League table with ten points from 27 games.