Why Tolu Arokodare cannot make Ajax European debut against Serbia’s Vojvodina

Tolu Arokodare’s first appearance in Ajax colours will have to wait after UEFA registration rules ruled him out of the Dutch club’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Serbian side FK Vojvodina, Afrik-Foot reports.

Ajax confirmed on Wednesday, July 29, that they had signed the Nigerian striker on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers for the 2026-27 campaign. The deal includes an option to buy the 25-year-old permanently next summer for around €22 million, while Wolves will receive an initial loan fee of about €1.17 million. Ajax are also covering the full salary of the striker, who was also wanted by Genoa, during his stay in Amsterdam.

The move gives Arokodare a chance to rebuild his career after a difficult season in England. He joined Wolves from Belgian side KRC Genk in September 2025 following his Belgian Pro League Golden Boot-winning campaign, but managed only three Premier League goals in 33 matches as Wolves were relegated. Reports of tension during pre-season under new manager Cesar Peixoto further increased his desire to leave Molineux, although the striker later challenged parts of those claims on social media.

Ajax technical director Jordi Cruyff believes Arokodare offers qualities the squad has lacked. Standing at 1.97 metres, the Nigerian is known for his strength inside the penalty area, with all 53 of his league goals since leaving Latvia coming from inside the 18-yard box. He will wear the No. 99 shirt and becomes the eighth Nigerian to represent Ajax, following players such as Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Tijani Babangida and Calvin Bassey.

Arokodare: UEFA registration deadline delays European debut

Despite completing his transfer and passing his medical, Arokodare cannot play against Vojvodina because Ajax submitted their UEFA Conference League squad before his paperwork was completed.

UEFA requires clubs to register eligible players before each qualifying round, and the Nigerian’s transfer was finalised after the deadline for this stage of the competition. As a result, he is ineligible for the second-leg qualifier and will instead watch from the stands while Ajax try to secure progression. It should not be a big worry for Ajax, though, as the Eredivisie giants claimed a 4-1 win over FK Vojvodina in the first leg and can secure their spot in the next round on Thursday at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

The wait should not be long, however. If Ajax advance, they can register Arokodare during the next UEFA registration window ahead of the Conference League play-offs or before the League Phase begins in September.

His first competitive appearance is now expected to come in the Eredivisie when Ajax open their league season away to PEC Zwolle on Sunday, August 9. He could then make his home debut against SC Heerenveen on August 16 at the Johan Cruijff Arena before Ajax visit SC Telstar later in the month.

Before then, Arokodare is expected to feature in Ajax’s final pre-season friendly against FC Volendam on August 2, where he can begin building an understanding with his new teammates before the domestic campaign gets underway.