Arema FC add Nigerian striker Samuel Otusanya to Super League squad

Samuel Otusanya, the 22-year-old Nigeria centre-forward, has joined Indonesian club Arema FC from Brazilian side Criciuma on a free transfer.

Otusanya completed the move on 17 August and becomes part of Arema’s squad in Indonesia’s Super League. The left-footed striker stands 1.86m tall and has spent much of his recent career moving between clubs in Brazil, including loan spells designed to provide regular first-team football.

He was most recently with Criciuma, returning to the club earlier in August after a loan at Athletic ended. Otusanya had joined Athletic from Criciuma on 14 March 2026 and made three appearances in Norway’s Eliteserien, as well as featuring in the NM-Cup.

Before that spell, the forward spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Nautico. He made 13 appearances in Brazil’s Serie B during that period, along with seven appearances in Serie C, where he scored twice.

Otusanya also played in the Campeonato Pernambucano, registering three goals and one assist in 15 appearances. He added a goal and an assist in five Copa do Nordeste appearances, while also featuring three times in the Copa do Brasil.

His route to Criciuma began after a spell with America-PE. He joined America-PE from FK Haugesund II in August 2024, with the move recorded at a fee of €57,000, before returning to Criciuma in April 2025.

The striker had initially moved into senior football with FK Haugesund II after leaving Haugesund’s youth setup. That transfer was recorded as a loan move in March 2023, preceding his later move to Brazil.

Arema FC will now be Otusanya’s latest club as he begins a new chapter in Indonesia, following experience across Brazil and Norway. His arrival gives the Super League side a Nigerian centre-forward with a record of appearances in several domestic competitions.

Otusanya’s transfer from Criciuma to Arema FC was completed as a free transfer on 17 August 2026.