Peter Olayinka has completed a move to Al Wehda, becoming the latest Nigerian forward to venture into Saudi Arabian football after agreeing a two-year deal with the Mecca-based club. The 30-year-old joins as a free agent following his exit from Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia, where he made 14 league appearances and scored twice, according to report.
Reports indicate the agreement will earn Olayinka around €2.5 million annually, as reported. Consequently, the move represents his first spell in Saudi Arabia after a well-travelled career that has taken him through Czechia, Serbia, Belgium and Cyprus.
However, Olayinka arrives at a club currently plying its trade outside the Saudi top flight. Al Wehda finished 16th in the Saudi Pro League last season and were relegated to the Saudi First Division League following a final-day defeat to Al-Ettifaq, meaning the Ibadan-born forward will begin this new chapter of his career in the second tier as the Knights of Mecca push for an immediate return to the top division.
Olayinka’s most productive years came at Slavia Prague, where he won three Czech First League titles and three Czech Cups. Meanwhile, his spell with Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade also yielded silverware, as he claimed two domestic doubles during his time in Belgrade, according to report.
As a result, he arrives at Al Wehda with a proven winning pedigree, even though his most recent stop in Cyprus yielded a more modest return. Furthermore, his versatility as both a winger and a central forward should give the club’s coaching staff several tactical options as they plan their promotion push.
Olayinka’s arrival draws an immediate comparison to former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo, who spent two seasons at Al Wehda between 2023 and 2025, as The club will be hoping Olayinka can replicate the impact Ighalo made during his stint in Mecca.
Olayinka has earned four caps for Nigeria since making his Super Eagles debut in 2019 and was part of the squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. His move continues a familiar pattern of Nigerian internationals rebuilding their careers in Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of players like Ighalo.
However, with his current focus on the Saudi First Division rather than the Pro League, his path back into regular Super Eagles contention may hinge on how quickly Al Wehda can climb back to the top flight.
Olayinka is expected to be assessed by Al Wehda’s technical staff ahead of the new First Division campaign, with the club targeting an immediate return to the Saudi Pro League. Meanwhile, his adaptation to a new league and playing style will be closely watched, as will whether regular game time in Saudi Arabia can help revive his prospects of adding to his small tally of Super Eagles caps.
