Oshoala moves to Saudi Arabia, joins Al Hilal
Six-time African footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala is set to join Saudi Arabia Women’s Premier League side Al Hilal after leaving NWSL club Bay FC.
The 30-year-old striker has travelled to Saudi Arabia and completed her medical ahead of the transfer window closing.
Oshoala only joined Bay FC last year as one of the expansion team’s marquee signings, but has now moved on after making 38 appearances and scoring eight goals.
The California side reached the NWSL playoffs in 2024 but has struggled this season, sitting 11th after four wins in 17 matches.
According to The Athletic/Times, she was left out of Bay’s squad against Angel City on Monday, with the club confirming her absence was due to transfer talks.
Oshoala began her career in Nigeria with Robo and Rivers Angels before moving to Liverpool and Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.
A stint in China with Dalian Quanjian preceded her 2019 transfer to Barcelona, where she became one of the most decorated players in women’s football.
She scored 107 goals in 149 appearances, winning five successive Liga F titles and two Women’s Champions Leagues in 2021 and 2023.
A six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Oshoala has also represented Nigeria at three World Cups and won four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crowns, most recently the 2024 edition.
Al Hilal finished sixth in last season’s Saudi Women’s Premier League as the competition expanded to 10 teams.
Oshoala’s arrival is expected to boost their ambitions and increase the global profile of the fast-growing division.
She joins compatriots Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega, who are currently on the books of Al Ittihad Women's Football Club.
Her departure is the latest high-profile exit from Bay FC, following those of Venezuelan forward Deyna Castellanos and Ghana’s Princess Marfo earlier this year.
