Oshoala leaves Barcelona for U.S. league

Asisat Oshoala

One of Nigeria’s most decorated players, Asisat Oshoala, is set to leave European champions, Barcelona, for a new chapter in her career at the United States Women’s Soccer League.

After a successful five-year stint at Barcelona, a club she initially joined on loan from Chinese club, Dalian Quanjian, Oshoala said it is now time to seek new challenges in the American league, which harbours some of the world’s best women players of the game.

Oshoala, who also played for England’s Liverpool and Arsenal, won four Spanish Primera División titles, three Supercopa de España Femenina honours, and three Copa de la Reina titles.

In 2021, she became the first African to clinch the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona, a feat she replicated in the 2023 season.

Already, Barcelona has decided to live without the Nigerian, with the African Footballer of the Year excluded from the squad in the clash against Real Betis last Sunday and the thrilling 4-4 draw with SL Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Reports suggest that Oshoala is moving to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit Bay FC on an approximately €150,000 ($162,000) deal.

Bay FC, set to debut in the NWSL’s 2024 season, will call PayPal Park in San Jose, California, their home stadium. Their inaugural NWSL campaign kicks off against Angel City on March 17.

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