Football Transfers: Asisat Oshoala Poised to Join Al Hilal After Arriving in Saudi

Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala has landed in Saudi Arabia to undergo medical examinations ahead of a high-profile transfer to Al Hilal, a prominent club in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. The move, which is expected to be finalized in the coming days, will see the six-time African Women’s Player of the Year embark on a new chapter in her decorated career.

Oshoala, who had previously played for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona Femeni, spent the last year with Bay FC in the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Her time in the U.S. was marked by limited playing opportunities, a factor cited by her former coach, who noted her reduced “defensive contributions.” The transfer to Al Hilal offers the prolific forward a fresh start and the chance to become a leading figure in the burgeoning Saudi women’s football scene.

The transfer is a significant development for both the player and the league. For Oshoala, it is a chance to rediscover her scoring form and leadership role. For the Saudi Women’s Premier League, her arrival is a major coup that signals its ambition to attract top-tier talent from around the world. The league has been on an aggressive drive to professionalize and expand its football landscape, a strategy that has already drawn other African players, including Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who joined Al Ittihad.

Al Hilal, a powerhouse in the men’s Saudi Pro League, is now expanding its investment in its women’s team. The club aims to compete for domestic honors and, eventually, establish itself as a dominant force in the region. The acquisition of a player of Oshoala’s caliber, with her history of winning major titles in Europe and her status as a global icon, is a clear statement of intent. The transfer, once complete, will be a landmark event for African women’s football, as it continues to see its best players sought after by leagues across the globe.