Super Falcons Star Asisat Oshoala signs for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia
Six-time African Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala has sealed a move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, leaving Bay FC after just one season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Nigerian international officially completed the transfer on September 2, 2025, signing a two-year contract that runs through 2027.
Related Article: Asisat Oshoala joins Bay FC from Barcelona Femini
The move marks another milestone in Oshoala’s decorated career, as she joins the rapidly growing women’s league in Saudi Arabia, which recently expanded from eight to ten teams. At Al Hilal, Oshoala will link up with fellow Super Falcons stars Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega, giving the Riyadh-based side a formidable boost in attack as they seek to improve on last season’s sixth-place finish.
Leaving a Legacy at Bay FC
Oshoala departs Bay FC as a history-maker. After arriving from FC Barcelona in 2024, she etched her name in club folklore by scoring the team’s first-ever goal in their debut match against Angel City FC on March 17, 2024. She went on to finish the season as Bay FC’s top scorer with seven goals in the league, adding another strike in the playoffs.
“Asisat has been an incredibly important part of Bay FC history, not only with her impact on the pitch but also through the energy, professionalism, and kindness she brought every day,” Bay FC sporting director Matt Potter said in a statement. “She is a world-class player and an even better person, and we are grateful for everything she contributed to our club in its first season. We wish her nothing but success as she takes this next step in her career with Al Hilal.”
Despite limited minutes in 2025, where she made 12 appearances totaling 458 minutes, Oshoala remained a key figure for Nigeria. She helped the Super Falcons win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July, scoring once across four matches.
A Career of Records and Firsts
At 30, Oshoala remains one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers. Her CV includes over 120 professional career goals, two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles with Barcelona, and six African Player of the Year awards – more than any male or female player in history.
She was also part of the trailblazing Barcelona Femeni side that dominated European football, while her move to the U.S. in 2024 with Bay FC showcased her willingness to embrace new challenges. Now, her transfer to Saudi Arabia highlights both her enduring ambition and the country’s growing investment in women’s football.
Saudi Arabia’s Women’s League Rising
Oshoala’s move is part of a wider trend of high-profile female footballers heading to the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has prioritized women’s sports in recent years, investing heavily in both infrastructure and talent. The Women’s Premier League, launched in 2022, has steadily attracted international players, boosting its profile and competitiveness.
Related Article: Super Falcons Forward Rasheedat Ajibade signs for PSG
For Al Hilal, securing a player of Oshoala’s pedigree signals intent. The club, already backed by strong domestic support, is now positioning itself as a contender in the expanded 2025/26 season.
What Next for Bay FC?
While Bay FC lose their top scorer, the club is focused on building for the future. Founded in 2023 by U.S. women’s football icons Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with investment firm Sixth Street, Bay FC remains one of the NWSL’s most ambitious projects.
The club faces Kansas City Current at PayPal Park on September 6, a match that will test their depth in Oshoala’s absence.
A New Chapter for Oshoala
For Oshoala, the move to Al Hilal represents both a professional challenge and an opportunity to expand her influence in another part of the footballing world. Known for her lethal finishing, relentless work rate, and leadership on and off the pitch, she arrives in Saudi Arabia as not only a player but also a role model for the next generation of African and Arab women footballers.
As she put it in a recent interview before her move: “Every step I’ve taken in my career has been about growth, about pushing limits, and about opening doors for others. This new chapter is no different.”
With Oshoala now in Riyadh, the Saudi Women’s Premier League has gained one of the brightest stars in global football. And for the Super Falcons faithful, it’s another reminder that their talisman remains a standard-bearer for Nigerian excellence wherever she goes.
SportsLigue