KRC GENK have signed Tolu Arokodare for an undisclosed fee to replace his fellow Nigerian Paul Onuachu, the Belgian club have confirmed.
Onuachu, who is the leading scorer in the Belgian Pro League, completed an £18.5 million switch to Southampton late last night, where he will team up with another Nigerian, Joe Aribo.
Genk confirmed today that Arokodare, who is yet to be capped by Nigeria, will fill in the big void left by the towering Super Eagles striker.
“Not long after the departure of our Golden Bull (Paul Onuachu), Tolu Arokodare signed a contract for 4.5 seasons at the Cegeka Arena,” the Belgian Pro League leaders announced on their official website today.
“Arokodare comes over from the French second division team Amiens. That borrowed him from Virsliga, a team from the Latvian top flight.
“In the French Ligue 2, he managed to score eight times in 23 games and provide two assists. With his 1 meter 97, the new Genk acquisition is not much inferior to his predecessor. He had been on Genk’s wish list for some time. Coach Wouter Vrancken was also very much in favour of his arrival.”
The new arrival himself admitted that it is a challenge to take the place of the prolific Onuachu, but he promised to give it his best shot.
“I am very happy to be in Genk. At this point in my career I can’t imagine a better club,” Arokodare said.
“Together with the team I hope to continue the good results of the first half of the season and to win prizes. Paul leaves big shoes to fill. But I am determined to give 100% for this great club.”
Arokodare is 22 and almost as tall as the 6’7 Onuachu, and Genk believe he has other great qualities apart from his height.
“Despite his height, he is very agile, fast in the first metres and strong with his head,” Genk Technical Director Dimitri de Condé explains the choice for the new striker.
“Tolu is already showing flashes of his class today. In addition, there is also a lot of stretch. Under the wings of our technical staff, he will be able to take major steps forward in the coming years. We have proven with several other young talents that KRC Genk is the ideal environment for this.”
