Career Profile, Stats, Position & Rise to Wolves

At 24, Tolu Arokodare is taking his first steps in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, a long way from the football pitches of Festac Town, Lagos, where he began. Born in November 2000, he developed into a 1.97-metre striker known for more than just his size. The height gives him strength in the air, but what often defines his game is the way he moves: quick, direct runs that pull defenders apart and create space others can use. It’s a profile he has carried through Latvia, Germany, France and Belgium on his way to Wolves, showing a forward who learns fast and adapts even faster.

Arokodare’s career has taken him through five European leagues before turning 25. From Latvia to Germany, then France and Belgium, each move pushed him into a different style of football and a higher level of competition. Those stops (Valmiera, Köln, Amiens and Genk) built the foundation that eventually led to his Premier League move to Wolves. Instead of a straight rise, it’s a record shaped by real minutes, real adjustments and a steady climb through tougher environments.

First Steps in Football

Growing up in Lagos, Arokodare trained with several local academies, including Kash Academy, Flying Sports Academy and Box2Box FC. In June 2019, he joined Valmiera FK in Latvia, a club known for recruiting young African players and offering them fast pathways into European football.

In the 2019–20 Latvian Virslīga season, he scored 15 goals in just 16 matches. This strike rate put him among the league’s top performers. Those numbers showed that his game went beyond physical strength, revealing instinct, composure and a scorer’s mentality.

Club Career & Breakthrough Moments

Tolu Arokodare’s European career has been defined by gradual steps into stronger, faster leagues. Each move pushed him into a different style of football and forced him to adjust his game. 

Below is a quick snapshot of his competitive record across Europe:

Source: Transfermarkt, November 2025

Move to Wolves and Adaptation

Arokodare completed his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 September 2025, joining the club after his strongest spell at Genk. In the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League, he scored 21 league goals in 28 matches, becoming one of the division’s most efficient penalty-box forwards. That output, combined with his size and speed, made him an attractive long-term option for Wolves.

At Molineux, his early weeks have been about adjustment rather than headlines. He has featured mainly from the bench, winning aerial duels, linking play in tight spaces and helping Wolves progress the ball upfield. The Premier League’s tempo has been sharper than what he faced in Belgium and although he is still chasing his first goal for the club, the coaching staff have highlighted his movement and work rate as promising signs.

Standout Performances, Improvements & Challenges

Looking back at Tolu Arokodare’s games for Amiens, he proved he could deliver when it mattered. Most notably on 16 April 2022, when he scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Caen, a finish that highlighted his composure in crowded areas.

His time in Belgium continued that upward curve, with two seasons at Genk helping him grow into a more confident finisher. At Wolves, the jump has been tougher: the league is quicker, the pressure heavier and clear chances are harder to create.

The key is turning those standout moments into consistent impact. His link-up play and reactions still need work, but the determination that drove him in Belgium remains. Now, he must show it every week in a league where small mistakes decide outcomes.

Tolu Arokodare Position and Playing Role

Arokodare is often described as a modern striker who blends physical presence with mobility. Instead of relying only on his height, he builds his game around quick movements in the box and well-timed runs that give midfielders a clear target to find.

His style of play is built around his 1.97 m frame, which makes him dominant in aerial battles and a reliable target for crosses. He also offers pace and acceleration, allowing him to attack space with direct runs. His most productive spell came at Genk, where he scored 21 league goals in 28 matches in 2024–25.

Those numbers showed he could deliver consistency across a full campaign. 

Areas to Grow

Arokodare’s rise in Belgium showed he can be a reliable scorer, but the step up to Premier League football brings a new set of demands. His hold-up play and first touch under pressure can be inconsistent, especially when defenders close him down quickly. That part of his game still needs polishing.

Another challenge is rhythm. His minutes at Wolves have been limited so far, which naturally affects timing, confidence, and decision-making in the final third. He has the physical tools to trouble defenders, but he needs more regular involvement to turn those moments into steady impact.

If he can tighten his control in tight spaces, sharpen his combinations with midfielders and adjust to the league’s tempo, his strengths should come through. With time and consistent match exposure, he has the potential to grow into a dependable option in England.

National Team Aspirations & Exposure

Tolu Arokodare made his Nigeria debut on 23 March 2025 in a 2–0 win against Rwanda (Nigeria FA).

He scored his first international goal on 6 June 2025 in a 1–1 draw with Russia (ESPN). As of October 2025, he has 8 caps and 2 goals for the Super Eagles (FBref). His next step is to move beyond late cameos and establish himself as a regular, using the international stage to sharpen his mentality and show that his club form can translate to national-team level.

Challenges & Milestones

His career path shows steady growth. A breakthrough at Valmiera in Latvia was followed by a tough spell at Köln, but Belgium became the turning point. In the 2024–25 Belgian Pro League, he scored 21 league goals in 28 matches, finishing as joint top scorer (Pro League official stats).

At Wolves, the challenge is consistency. He has shown his aerial strength and movement, but after eight Premier League appearances (as of 01-12-2025) he is still searching for his first goal. Adapting to faster defenders and tighter spaces will decide whether his Premier League form can match the finishing levels he showed in Belgium.

Future Projections & Ambitions

At Wolverhampton, the main question is whether he can reproduce the level of finishing that defined his time in Belgium. The club will expect his first Premier League goals to arrive once he fully adapts to the pace and physicality of the league.

Internationally, he aims to push beyond cameo roles and compete for a starting place at the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His market valuation varies across football media, with no clear consensus, but most assessments place him in the mid-range bracket for developing Premier League forwards.The next step is proving he can deliver consistently in England. It’s a stage that often determines who reaches Europe’s elite.