Reigning African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, has left Barcelona for a new challenge in National Women’s Soccer League in United States.
Oshala, who was instrumental to Barcelona’s European and Spanish triumph, had few months remaining on her contract.
It is understood the Nigerian women’s footballing sensation was open to an exit from the club as both parties agreed on an exit solution as she drew close to the end of her five-year contract with the club.
Barcelona would have lose the Super Falcons sensation on a free transfer if no deal was brokered this January with other clubs.
Assisat Oshoala Barcelona Femeni career
The 29-year-old joined Barcelona from Chinese side Dalian Qunaijan in 2019 as a loanee. She got off to a bang, scoring 7 goals in 7 appearances to steer the club to a second-place in Spanish Women’s League.
Thank you for everything SuperZee 💙❤ pic.twitter.com/qN2lqIwGwY
— Barça Femení (@BarcaFem) February 1, 2024
Following an impressive loan shift with the Spanish and European giants, she was signed on a permanent contract on a five-year contract.
In her four-and-a-half year stint with Barcelona, Oshoala has scored 117 goals winning 14 trophies. She became for the first African Women’s footballer to score in a Champions League final after she scored Barcelona’s only goal in a 4-1 defeat to Lyon to 2019 UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
Throughout her four seasons with Barcelona Femeni, the club have not conceded the the Primeira Division title to any other club. They have won four times in a row in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Oshala have also won the UEFA Women’s Champions League two times in 2020/21 and 2022/23 season, including Supercopa de España Femenina [Spanish Women’s Super] three times, and Copa de la Reina [Copa Del Rey Women] three times.
With several individual awards, Oshoala added the Spanish Women’s League Golden Boot to her laurels in 2021/22 season.
Despite a largely successful career with Barcelona women, her future with the Spanish giants was on the balance. The 2023 African Women’s Footballer of the Year made only 3 starts in her 14 appearances for Barcelona Femeni this season. Nevertheless, she still maintained her goalscoring prowess banging in 8 goals for the club in all competitions.
🚨 Official | FC Barcelona and Bay Football Club have reached an agreement for the transfer of Asisat Oshoala.
Thank you for everything! 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/rDW4DCWlFe
— Barça Femení (@BarcaFem) February 1, 2024
According to reports, Oshoala played a big role in her Barcelona transfer exit. She was spotted in California, USA working up to seal the move to Bay FC – a California women’s soccer club, playing in the US elite women’s league – the National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL).
Barcelona Femeni have reportedly agreed a $160,000 transfer fee for Oshoala.
She has reportedly agreed to commit to a two-year contract to the club till 2026, including a one-year extension till 2027.
