Ajax Amsterdam new signing Tolu Arokodare has said he initially thought reports linking him with the Dutch club were a joke.
The Nigerian striker made the comment after completing a season-long loan move to Ajax from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The transfer was confirmed by Ajax on Wednesday, July 27, 2026, for the 2026-27 season, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.
Speaking on his move, Arokodare said: "I thought it was a joke when my agent told me Ajax is interested in signing me. Ajax is the biggest team in the Dutch league and one of the biggest teams in Europe. I can't wait to start playing and winning games with the team."
Arokodare, 25, joined Wolves in September 2025 from Belgian side Genk in a £24 million deal after scoring 31 league goals in 79 appearances and finishing as the top scorer in Belgium in the 2024-25 season.
His spell at Molineux was brief and followed reports of a dispute at the club's training ground. Under the agreement with Ajax, the Dutch club will cover his wages for the season and pay a £1 million loan fee, with a permanent option reported to be around £17 million to €20 million plus bonuses linked to European qualification.
He becomes the first Nigerian to play for Ajax since Calvin Bassey in 2023 and will compete with fellow arrival Marcos Leonardo after Wout Weghorst left for FC Twente.