Nigerian female striker, Asisat Oshoala, has joined the female team of Spanish club, Barcelona.
On her Twitter handle, Oshoala expressed her delight at joining the football club on loan from her Chinese club, Dalian Quanjian F.C. She tweeted, “Delighted to join @FCBfemeni on loan. 2019 let’s go.”
The club on its website revealed that Oshoala arrived in Barcelona on Thursday morning for the routine medical checks and then signed her contract in the president’s office at the Camp Nou in the presence of the director responsible for the section, Maria Teixidor, and sports manager Markel Zubizarreta.
Speaking while signing the contract, Oshoala said, “This is obviously one of the best clubs in the world. The team has a great history and wonderful football mentality”.
“I am excited about playing with Vicky Losada again. She’s a great midfielder, with a lot of energy and skill. I also met Fabiana in China and she helped me to make this decision.
“My goal is to strengthen the team and help them to win and make history. This is a fantastic opportunity because I’m sure something big will happen here.”
Oshoala will play out the remainder of the 2018/19 season at Camp Nou.
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Oshoala joined Liverpool Ladies in January 2015, on the 23rd day. Liverpool manager, Matt Beard called her “one of the best young players in the world”. Although rumours had linked her with other clubs, she was very happy to join Liverpool. Oshoala missed two months of the 2015 season with a knee injury, as defending champions Liverpool finished seventh of eight teams.
In January 2016 Liverpool reported that a transfer bid from Arsenal Ladies had activated the release clause in Oshoala’s contract and that she was discussing personal terms with the London club. On 10 February 2017, Chinese club Dalian Quanjian F.C. officially signed Oshoala. On 31 January 2019, Spanish Club, Barcelona Women signed Oshoala and is to wear the Number 20 Shirt.
Oshoala found success as a forward for Nigeria’s youth teams but made most of her early appearances for the senior national team as an attacking midfielder. She was nicknamed “Seedorf” after male footballer Clarence Seedorf and has also been referred to as “Superzee” by her teammates. She was named best player and with seven goals was also the top goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
She was also named best player and second top goalscorer with the Super Falcons team who won the 2014 African Women’s Championship. She also won the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2015. In September 2014 Oshoala was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan.
On 8 June 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada, Oshoala opened her senior FIFA Women’s World Cup account by scoring Nigeria’s second goal in a 3–3 draw with Sweden. Oshoala was also a member of the Super Falcons team who won the African Women’s Championship in 2016 and 2018. She scored three goals in the 2018 Edition in Ghana.
Oshoala incurred the wrath of her parents when she dropped out of school to pursue a football career. She attributes her dislike of household pets to being a Muslim.
Oshoala is arguably the most successful Super Falcons player having played for two big clubs in England, Arsenal and Liverpool before joining the Spanish giants, Barcelona.
Congratulations to her!!
