Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala has signed for Bay FC, a new team in the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), ending her five-year stint with Barcelona Femeni.
Oshoala, who is the reigning African Women’s Footballer of the Year, joins the San Jose-based club on a deal until 2026, with an option for 2027. The transfer fee is reported to be €150,000 ($162,000).
The 29-year-old said she was ready for a new challenge after winning multiple trophies with Barcelona, including two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles and four league titles.
“I’ve stayed a long time in Europe, it’s the longest I’ve stayed anywhere,” Oshoala told Just Women’s Sports. “I’ve played in different continents and all that, and I just feel like I would love to try elsewhere maybe one more time, one more chance to see how that feels.”
Oshoala is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, having scored 107 goals in 149 appearances for Barcelona. She also holds the record for the most African Women’s Footballer of the Year awards, with six.
She became the first African woman to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2021 and the first African woman to score in the Champions League final in 2019.
She has also represented Nigeria at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, helping the Super Falcons reach the last 16 in 2019 and 2023.
Oshoala is the latest high-profile signing for Bay FC, who are set to make their debut in the NWSL this season. The club has also acquired US star Alex Morgan from Orlando Pride and England defender Lucy Bronze from Manchester City.
Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton said Oshoala’s arrival was a “significant milestone” for the club and the league.
“She brings a top-class mentality to the field combined with pace and technical ability that allows her to lead the line, while also giving those players around her the license to be creative and thrive in space,” Rushton said.
Oshoala’s move to the US comes amid a growing interest in women’s soccer in the country, following the success of the US women’s national team, who won their fourth World Cup in 2019 and their fifth Olympic gold medal in 2020.
The NWSL, which was founded in 2013, is the longest-running professional women’s soccer league in the US. It features 12 teams and some of the best players in the world, such as Megan Rapinoe, Sam Kerr and Marta.
The 2023 NWSL season will kick off on March 25, with Bay FC playing their first match against Los Angeles FC at the Avaya Stadium.
Oshoala said she was looking forward to playing in front of the US fans and competing with the best players in the world.
“I understand the challenge that I have ahead of me,” she said. “But it’s a risk I’m willing to take as well.”
She added that she hoped her move would inspire more African players to follow her footsteps and pursue their dreams.
“If you don’t leave your comfort zone, sometimes you don’t get to achieve certain things,” she said. “It’s very important to understand this, and at this point in my career, I won’t think I’m really scared to make big changes.”
Source: Business Day
