Can Tolu Arokodare become Ajax’s greatest Nigerian striker? Five records within reach

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has finally secured the move he wanted after Ajax reached an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers for a season-long loan, Afrik Foot reports.

After rejecting approaches from Fiorentina and Trabzonspor in pursuit of a better sporting project, the 25-year-old now jets out to the Netherlands.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Ajax will cover Arokodare’s full salary, pay a loan fee, and hold a non-mandatory €22 million purchase option, while Wolves could also receive performance-related bonuses should Ajax qualify for European competitions.

🔴⚪️💥 More on Tolu Arokodare to Ajax exclusive story:

Loan with salary fully covered by Ajax, €22m buy option clause not mandatory. Loan fee also included.

Wolves to receive bonuses based on Ajax qualification for European competitions.

Here we go. 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/gUlEhUpO3c

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2026

For Arokodare, the move offers far more than an escape from an unhappy spell in England. It also presents the opportunity to join an exclusive group of Nigerian footballers who have left their mark in Amsterdam.

Although matching the legendary careers of Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George in a single season would be impossible, several meaningful milestones remain firmly within reach.

Tolu Arokodare: Five records within reach at Ajax

1. Become the first Nigerian striker to lead Ajax’s attack

Ajax have been home to several Nigerian players, but the famous Nwankwo Kanu didn’t establish himself as the club’s first-choice centre-forward during the 90’s.

Like Chuba Akpom a few years ago, Papilo, while he was a regular, had to compete for minutes alongside Patrick Kluivert, Jari Litmanen, and Marc Overmars.

The former Super Eagles captain scored 27 goals and registered 15 assists in 75 appearances while helping Ajax conquer Europe in the mid-1990s.

If Arokodare becomes Michel’s undisputed No. 9, he would become the first Nigerian striker to occupy that role consistently.

However, for that to happen, he’ll have to come out on top in the battle against Don-Angelo Konadu, Marcos Leonardo, and Kasper Dolberg in training.

2. Score more goals than any Nigerian in a single Ajax season since Kanu

Arokodare is arriving at Ajax after winning the Belgian Golden Boot with Genk before his difficult campaign at Wolves.

Should he rediscover that form, reaching 20 goals in all competitions is far from unrealistic.

While Kanu’s overall Ajax tally remains out of reach during a one-year loan, producing the most prolific single campaign by a Nigerian striker since the legendary forward would immediately place Arokodare among Ajax’s most successful African attackers.

Kanu’s best output in a single season was 13 goals and 11 assists, a feat he achieved in Ajax’s 1995/1996 season, the same year they lost the UEFA Champions League final to Juventus.

3. Become the first Nigerian to fire Ajax back to the Eredivisie title

Ajax have not won the Eredivisie since 2022 and finished a disappointing fifth last season, forcing them into UEFA Conference League football.

The Amsterdam giants view Arokodare as the replacement for Wout Weghorst, with the expectation that his physical presence and goals can spearhead a return to domestic dominance.

If Ajax reclaim the league title with Arokodare leading the line, his impact would inevitably be compared to that of Kanu and Finidi, who both helped deliver three Dutch championships during their careers.

4. Earn a permanent move worth €22 million

Perhaps the most realistic record available is regarding the future of the former FC Koln striker.

Ajax negotiated a €22 million purchase option rather than an obligation to buy.

Should Arokodare convince the Dutch club to activate that clause, he would become the third-most expensive permanent signing in Ajax’s history, just behind Calvin Bassey (€23m) and Steven Bergwijn (€31.25m).

It would also justify Wolves’ decision to insist on a loan instead of accepting cut-price offers from Fiorentina or Trabzonspor.

5. Reignite his Super Eagles career ahead of AFCON 2027

Success at Ajax could transform Arokodare’s international prospects. Competition among Nigeria’s strikers remains fierce, with Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu, Victor Boniface, Akor Adams and Rafiu Durosinmi all pushing for the front two positions under coach Eric Chelle.

Regular goals in Amsterdam would significantly strengthen Arokodare’s case to become one of Nigeria’s attacking options ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Unlike his proposed transfers to Fiorentina or Trabzonspor, Ajax represents a club built around developing forwards before selling them to Europe’s elite.

The Eredivisie club has already provided the platform for Kanu, Finidi George, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and, more recently, Sébastien Haller, Calvin Bassey, Mohammed Kudus, and Antony.

For Arokodare, the challenge is not to eclipse the legendary achievements of Kanu or Finidi in one season. Those records were built across multiple trophy-winning campaigns.

Instead, his objective is to score consistently, restore Ajax to the summit of Dutch football, and convince the club to activate their €22 million purchase option.