Nigerian Striker Victor Olatunji Joins Real Salt Lake
Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji has made a permanent move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Real Salt Lake (RSL) from Sparta Prague, marking a significant step in his career. The 25-year-old forward joins RSL after an impressive two-year stint with the Czech club, where he scored 20 goals in 93 appearances across all competitions. His contract with RSL is set to run through June 2028, with potential options to extend it until the end of the 2029 MLS season.
The transfer was finalized after RSL acquired Olatunji’s Discovery Priority from D.C. United in exchange for $125,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM). This mechanism allows clubs to secure the right to sign players who are not currently in the league but may be of interest for future recruitment. Although Olatunji is moving from Sparta Prague, D.C. United had previously placed a Discovery claim on him, which gave them exclusive rights to negotiate or trade his priority. RSL acted quickly to obtain these rights, enabling the successful transfer.
Olatunji’s journey to MLS began in 2018 when he started his professional career at 18. He has since played for six clubs across Slovakia, Austria, Cyprus, and the Czech Republic. Before joining Sparta Prague in July 2023, he recorded 43 goals in 105 appearances in those leagues. His time at Sparta Prague proved to be a turning point, as he helped the club win a domestic double in the 2023–24 season, claiming both the Czech First League title and the Czech Cup.
In European competitions, Olatunji made a name for himself, scoring six goals in 14 UEFA Champions League appearances. One of his standout performances came in a 3–0 group stage win over Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored and assisted on his debut. This made him the first Nigerian and only the third African player to achieve such a feat in the competition. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Sparta’s comeback against Dinamo Zagreb in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League qualifiers, scoring the fourth goal in the 87th minute to secure a 5–4 aggregate victory.
Olatunji also found the net in a narrow Champions League defeat to Brest in November 2024, showcasing his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Speaking after the announcement, he expressed his excitement about joining RSL and playing in the United States.
“I very much look forward to playing in Utah and in America,” said Olatunji. “I have seen and heard good things about Real Salt Lake, the whole setup, and this inspires me to be here today. I am excited to meet the fans. They are very important to every club, and ours can now expect me to play my hardest, bring hard work and desire to the game, and I also hope to help my team with goals and assists and whatever is asked of me.”
Olatunji becomes the third Nigerian-born player to represent Real Salt Lake, following midfielder Sunday Stephen and current forward William Agada. Club captain Emeka Eneli also has Nigerian heritage and has made 91 appearances since 2023.
Real Salt Lake’s Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid praised the latest addition, highlighting Olatunji’s speed, strength, and intelligence in the box. “Victor’s speed, strength and intelligence in the box should allow him to fit into our attack,” said Schmid. “It’s another move we’ve been working on for some time.”
Olatunji’s arrival follows recent signings of Brazilian Designated Player Rwan Cruz and USA U-20 international Marcos Zambrano, as the club looks to strengthen its squad ahead of the season run-in. RSL has been in strong form, winning five of their last seven matches and rising from 13th to 8th in the MLS Western Conference table. They return to league action on Sunday, with an away fixture against New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey.