Asisat Oshoala swaps Bay FC for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal
Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala has never been afraid of new challenges, and her latest move proves it. The 30-year-old striker is leaving Bay FC in the NWSL to sign with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing Saudi Women’s Premier League.
Oshoala is no stranger to making history. After dominating in Nigeria, England and China, she became a household name at Barcelona, where she won multiple league titles and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies.In February 2024, she surprised many fans by swapping Europe for the US, joining Bay FC, a brand new NWSL expansion side.She said at the time that she wanted to step outside of her comfort zone and try something different — a mindset that seems to define her entire career.
Oshoala’s time in California started strong. In her debut NSWL season, she scored seven goals and grabbed an assist across 25 appearances, quickly becoming one of Bay FC’s star players. This year, she has had fewer minutes on the pitch, featuring mostly off the bench and not scoring so far this season. She leaves Bay FC having scored eight goals in 38 appearances overall.
Now, Oshoala is heading to Riyadh, where she has already passed her medical and signed a two-year contract with Al Hilal.
Her move is part of a bigger push from Saudi Arabia to develop women’s football. In recent years, the league has attracted other top African international talent including Ashleigh Plumptre, Francisca Ordega and Rita Chikwelu.For Oshoala, it’s another chance to break barriers.
She’s joining a league that is heavily investing in their women’s game, and her presence will no doubt help raise its profile. For Saudi football, signing one of Africa’s biggest names is a statement: the league is here to compete on a global scale.
This move also feels true to Oshoala’s personality. She’s always chosen bold paths — whether it was moving from Nigeria to Europe as a teenager, thriving in Barcelona, or stepping into the unknown with Bay FC. Now, she is doing it again in the Middle East.
