Perfect Start: Arokodare scores on Ajax debut in Pre-Season victory

Tolu Arokodare made an immediate impact for Ajax, scoring on his debut as the Dutch club secured a 3-1 pre-season victory against FC Volendam. The Nigerian forward, recently arriving on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, found the net just minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Arokodare, who joined Ajax on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent transfer, replaced Marcos Leonardo in the 71st minute. He capitalized on a defensive lapse within the Volendam penalty area, reacting swiftly to a miscued clearance before calmly slotting the ball home to seal Ajax's win. This debut goal follows earlier strikes from Anton Gaaei and Marcos Leonardo, rounding off a positive afternoon for the Amsterdam side.

The goal offers an ideal start for the 25-year-old Arokodare, who seeks to reignite his career in the Netherlands after a challenging period in England. He moved to Wolves in September 2025 for a reported £24 million from Belgian club Genk, where he had an impressive record of 31 league goals in 79 appearances. However, his form dipped in the Premier League, yielding only three goals in 33 matches as Wolves were relegated.

Arokodare's departure from Wolves was also marked by controversy, with reports of him allegedly disrupting training amid uncertainty about his future. He strongly denied these allegations, asserting his professionalism. Ajax's swift move to secure him on loan signals their belief that he can rediscover the prolific goalscoring form that made him a sought-after player in Belgium. His debut performance suggests this belief may already be well-placed, offering Ajax much-needed firepower as they aim to improve on their fifth-place finish in the Eredivisie last season and compete in the UEFA Conference League.

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Throughout my career, I have always taken great pride in conducting myself professionally and maintaining the highest training standards