The 25-year-old Nigeria international arrives in Amsterdam after a difficult spell in the Premier League. However, he struggled to replicate that success in England, scoring just three times in 33 league games as Wolves were relegated to the Championship, finishing with six goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Tolu Arokodare Completes Ajax Loan Move From Wolverhampton Wanderers
Transfer Terms, Wages, and Squad Integration
Under the terms of the agreement, Ajax will cover Arokodare’s full wages for the 2026-27 season, pay a loan fee, and include performance bonuses linked to European qualification. The non-mandatory purchase option gives the Dutch giants flexibility ahead of next summer.
Ajax officials moved quickly to outline what the forward brings to the squad. Jordi Cruijff stated: With Tolu, we are bringing in a striker with a profile that we did not previously have in the squad. He is a physically strong player who has already proven himself to be a goalscorer. We are confident that he will make an important contribution to the team next season.
Arokodare, who will wear the number 99 shirt after completing his medical, admitted he initially disbelieved the interest from the Dutch side. Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: I could never have imagined that I would play here. Not because I do not want to, but because everyone knows this club. In Nigeria, no one watches the Eredivisie, but everyone knows Ajax. When my agent said Ajax were interested, I thought he was joking. As I said, I never expected this. I immediately thought: I want this. It is the biggest club in the Netherlands and one of the biggest in Europe.
Background to the Exit and Pre-Season Tensions
Arokodare’s departure follows a strained summer at Molineux after he was deemed surplus to requirements. He was initially left out of the pre-season training camp in Portugal, though he was temporarily flown in for a single session to cover an injury to Adam Armstrong before watching a behind-closed-doors friendly against Estoril from the stands.
Tensions escalated after the squad returned to Compton. Reports alleged that a training session was cancelled after the player refused to leave the first-team pitch, prompting the club to enforce extra security. Arokodare subsequently took to social media to challenge the media reports, stating: Throughout my career, I have always taken great pride in conducting myself professionally and maintaining the highest training standards.
Before settling on the Netherlands, other suitors pursued the Nigerian forward. Fiorentina and Trabzonspor had bids rejected earlier in the window. Although a later offer from the Turkish club was accepted by Wolves, Arokodare turned it down in favor of a move to Italy before ultimately agreeing terms with Ajax.
Rebuilding Plans at Ajax
Arokodare becomes the eighth Nigerian player to represent Ajax, and the first since defender Calvin Bassey featured for the club in 2023. His arrival bolsters an attacking department that also features Marcos Leonardo for the 2026-27 campaign, following Wout Weghorst’s departure to FC Twente.
Ajax are seeking a fresh start after finishing fifth in the Eredivisie last term under Spanish tactician Michel. While Ajax hold a 4-1 aggregate lead over FK Vojvodina in the Conference League, Arokodare is ineligible to play in the second leg of the tie.
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