Tolu Arokodare bags Jupiler Pro League Golden Boot

Arokodare (right). Photo: KRC Genk via Jupiler Pro League

Nigeria national team and KRC Genk striker Tolu Arokodare has clinched the Golden Boot award for the 2024/25 season in Belgium's top flight Jupiler Pro League.

The 24-year-old forward netted an impressive 21 goals and provided six assists across 40 league appearances under the guidance of coach Thorsten Fink, solidifying his reputation as one of Belgium's most potent attackers.

Arokodare finished level on goals with STVV’s Adriano Bertaccini, but was ultimately awarded the Golden Boot due to a specific tie-breaker rule: the number of goals scored away from home.

The Nigerian proved particularly dangerous on the road, bagging 11 away goals during the regular season and adding two more vital away strikes in the Championship Playoffs. He was also awarded the 2024/25 Ebony Shoe in Belgium, which recognizes the best African player or player of African descent in the Belgian Pro League.

Despite Arokodare's outstanding goal-scoring efforts, KRC Genk fell short in their pursuit of the league title. The championship was claimed by Union Saint-Gilloise, marking their first league triumph in 90 years.

The Genk striker however missed out on being voted the Player of the Season in Belgium despite finishing as the league’s top scorer. He got 24.20% of the votes by coaches and fellow players to finish in third place.

Arokodare's stellar performance in Belgium earned him a well-deserved call-up to the Nigerian Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Unity Cup.