Official: Genk sign Tolu Arokodare to replace Onuachu

• The Smurfs lost their reliable goal machine to Southampton on transfer deadline day but moved swiftly to secure the signature of his compatriot

Young Nigerian striker, Toluwalase Arokodare has left French side Amiens SC to join KRC Genk on a four-and-a-half-year deal

KRC Genk completed the move for Arokodare shortly after sanctioning the departure of leading goalscorer, Paul Onuachu to Southampton on Tuesday. They have opted to replace the 2.01m-tall Onuachu with the 1.97m-tall Arokodare.

Until he signed for Genk, Arokodare was into the second year of his two-year loan spell at French Ligue 2 side, Amiens from Latvian club, Valmiera.

Born 22 years ago in Festac Town, Lagos State, Arokodare was nurtured at several youth clubs in Nigeria including Segun Odegbami-owned International Sports Academy Wasimi before leaving for Latvia in 2019.

The youngster spent the 2020/2021 season on loan in the German Bundesliga with Cologne but failed to excel. 

Arokodare has done better in France, though, with the young forward registering six goals and two assists in 20 Ligue 2 matches for Amiens this term.

In Belgium, he will be expected to pick up from where Onuachu left off at the Cegeka Arena.

Onuachu scored 16 goals in 19 games to help Genk carve out a healthy lead at the top of the Belgian Jupiler League heading into the second half of the season.