Asisat Oshoala Signs Two-Year Deal with Al Hilal in Saudi Women’s Premier League

Asisat Oshoala Signs Two-Year Deal with Al Hilal in Saudi Women’s Premier League

By Admin 

Nigeria international and Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala has signed a two-year contract with Saudi Women’s Premier League side Al Hilal, a source close to the player confirmed to ESPN.

The deal was finalized on Monday following a successful medical examination in Riyadh. “Asisat has signed a two-year contract after completing her medicals in Riyadh on Monday morning,” the source said.

Oshoala, 30, was notably absent from Bay FC’s matchday squad against Angel City on Monday and was listed on the club’s availability report as an excused absence—further fueling speculation ahead of the official confirmation of her move.

The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year departs Bay FC after just one season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), where she joined the expansion club ahead of the 2024 campaign. She made 23 starts in 25 appearances last season, scoring seven goals and registering one assist.

However, her influence waned during the 2025 campaign. Oshoala saw significantly reduced minutes, making only five starts in 12 appearances without scoring or assisting. In April, Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya cited the striker's ongoing adaptation to the NWSL’s tactical demands as a contributing factor to her diminished role.

"In this league, you have to [adapt], and that’s something we’re working with her on," Montoya said at the time. “When she gains that confidence in front of goal and contributes defensively, she’ll help us more. Caroline [Conti] offers us more defensively at the moment.”

Internationally, Oshoala also played a reduced role during the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, despite Nigeria clinching a record 10th title. She featured in four of the Super Falcons’ six matches, starting only the opening two games against Tunisia and Botswana. She was an unused substitute in the semifinal against South Africa and the group stage match versus Algeria, while making late appearances off the bench against Zambia and Morocco.

A two-time Ballon d’Or nominee, Oshoala previously enjoyed a prolific five-season spell at FC Barcelona, scoring 107 goals in 149 appearances and winning five Liga F titles and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies. Her career also includes stints at Arsenal, Liverpool, Dalian Quanjian in China, and Nigerian clubs Robo and Rivers Angels.

At Al Hilal, she joins fellow Super Falcons internationals Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega. The Riyadh-based club finished sixth in the recently concluded 2024–25 Saudi Women’s Premier League season, which expanded to include 10 teams.