Cypriot heavyweights APOEL Nicosia have bolstered their attacking department with the acquisition of Nigerian international Peter Olayinka on a free transfer. The 30-year-old forward officially committed to the 29-time Cypriot champions by signing a short-term contract that extends through May 2026. This move marks a significant fresh start for the experienced attacker, who has remained without a club since his mutual departure from Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade in October 2025.
Olayinka enters this new chapter with a clear objective to rediscover his competitive rhythm following a four-month period of professional inactivity. Despite his recent hiatus, the versatile striker boasts an impressive continental resume, having previously secured league titles and domestic cups during successful tenures in Serbia and the Czech Republic. His arrival in Nicosia brings high-level European experience to a squad currently competing for domestic supremacy in the Cypriot First Division.
The Ibadan-born forward has established himself as a true journeyman of European football, accumulating diverse experience across several leagues. His career path includes notable stints in Albania with Skënderbeu, Belgium with Zulte Waregem, and a legendary five-year spell at Slavia Prague, where he became a key figure in their UEFA Champions League and Europa League campaigns. On the international stage, Olayinka famously represented the Super Eagles during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where he featured in matches against Guinea-Bissau and Tunisia.
APOEL management expects the Nigerian star to integrate quickly into the first-team squad as they enter the final stretch of the 2025/26 season. Given his proven track record of finding the net in various tactical systems, Olayinka offers head coach Pablo García a dynamic option on the wing or as a central focal point. Fans of the Blue-Yellows anticipate his debut during the upcoming round of league fixtures as the club looks to solidify its position at the top of the table.
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