Al-Najaf FC add experienced Nigeria forward Aaron Olanare

Nigeria centre-forward Aaron Olanare has joined Al-Najaf FC as a free agent, adding the 32-year-old striker to the Iraqi club’s squad. Olanare completed the move on 14 August 2026 after becoming available following his departure from PT Prachuap FC earlier this year.

The Port Harcourt-born forward spent the first half of 2025-26 with Thai club PT Prachuap before leaving on 1 January. He had joined the side in July 2025 after a period without a club, and now begins the next chapter of a career that has taken him across Europe and Asia.

Olanare previously represented Molde FK and Neftchi PFK, joining the Norwegian club from Azerbaijan on a free transfer in March 2024. His time at Molde followed an earlier spell with BB Erzurumspor in Turkey, where he played during the 2021-22 season.

The striker has also played in China, Russia and Israel. His most notable period came with CSKA Moscow, with whom he won the Russian title in 2016. He joined the Moscow club from Guangzhou R&F on a free transfer in January 2017 after spending part of the previous season there on loan.

Olanare’s career record includes 54 Eliteserien appearances and 12 goals, while he scored 15 times in 34 Turkish Super League matches. He also found the net 20 times in 32 League One appearances. His preferred left foot and 1.89m frame add physical and technical variety to his role as a central striker.

The move to Al-Najaf FC continues Olanare’s long-running international career, which began with Valerenga in Norway in 2012 after he left Nigerian club Dolphin FC. He later moved to Sarpsborg 08 before earning opportunities in several different leagues.

Olanare has now officially joined Al-Najaf FC after his spell without a club.