‘I thought my agent was joking’ – Arokodare delighted to join Ajax

Tolu Arokodare, the Nigerian international forward, expressed disbelief upon learning that Ajax had shown interest in him, initially thinking his agent was joking. The 25-year-old has completed a season-long loan move from Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Dutch club, marking a major step in his career. The transfer, which includes an option for a permanent switch next summer for approximately £17 million, came after Arokodare admitted he never imagined he would play for one of Europe’s most storied clubs. Arokodare spoke to Ajax’s official website following the announcement, revealing how surprised he was by the offer. “I could never have imagined that I would play here,” he said. He emphasized the global recognition of Ajax, noting that while many Nigerians may not watch the Eredivisie, they know the club well. “Everyone knows Ajax,” he added. When his agent mentioned the interest from the Amsterdam-based club, Arokodare initially dismissed it as a joke. “I thought he was joking,” he recalled. However, the idea quickly turned into a dream he wanted to pursue. “I immediately thought: I want this. It is the biggest club in the Netherlands and one of the biggest in Europe.” Arokodare will don the iconic No. 99 jersey during his time at Ajax. The move represents a fresh start for the player, who struggled to find consistent playing time at Wolverhampton Wanderers. After joining the club from Genk in a £24 million deal last summer, Arokodare made 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals. Despite his efforts, his position at the club remained uncertain, with rumors linking him to several other teams, including Serie A side Fiorentina. His situation took a controversial turn earlier this month when reports surfaced suggesting he refused to leave the training pitch after being told he would no longer train with the first team. Additional security measures were reportedly introduced at the club’s training facility to address concerns. Arokodare denied these allegations on social media, calling them false. Wolves, however, issued only a brief statement confirming the loan move, without commenting from their coaching staff. The transfer follows a poor run of form for Arokodare at Wolves, where he started just one of the club’s final 10 Premier League matches last season. This lack of consistency fueled speculation about his future, leading to his eventual exit. With the move to Ajax, Arokodare aims to regain his footing in top-flight football and prove himself at a higher level. Arokodare joins a growing list of Nigerian players who have played for Ajax, becoming the eighth to do so. Notable predecessors include Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu, who helped establish the club’s reputation in Africa. More recently, defender Calvin Bassey followed in their footsteps, adding to the legacy of Nigerian representation at the club. Arokodare now hopes to continue this tradition by contributing to Ajax’s success. Ajax faces FK Vojvodina in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, but Arokodare will not be available for the match. The club holds a 4-1 aggregate lead from the first-leg encounter, though the Nigerian forward is ineligible to participate due to transfer regulations. Instead, he will focus on adapting to life in Amsterdam, preparing for the possibility of a permanent move next summer. His journey continues, with the hope of achieving greater success in the coming months.