Nigeria striker Gbolahan Salami becomes a free agent after Al-Nasiriyah FC departure

Nigeria centre-forward Gbolahan Salami has left Al-Nasiriyah FC and joined the ranks of unattached players. The 35-year-old’s departure was completed on 3 August 2026, ending his time with the Iraqi club.

Salami had been with Al-Nasiriyah since January 2022, when he moved there from Saudi Arabian side Ohod Club. His spell at Al-Nasiriyah followed a period in Saudi Arabia with Najran SC and Al-Faisaly, as well as a stint at Al-Qaisumah.

The Lagos-born forward has played across Nigeria, Finland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Serbia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq during his career. He began his senior club journey with Shooting Stars and also represented Enyimba Aba and Warri Wolves in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Salami’s most productive domestic record came in the NPFL, where he scored 44 goals in 70 appearances. He was the league’s top scorer in the 2014-15 season, finishing with 17 goals.

He also made an impact during his time in Finland with KuPS, scoring 23 goals in 57 Veikkausliiga appearances and six goals in nine Finnish Cup matches. His other recorded continental goals include five in four CAF Confederation Cup appearances.

The forward joined KuPS from Warri Wolves in February 2016 on a free transfer. He later moved to Kazakhstan’s Irtysh and Turkey’s Denizlispor, both also on free transfers, before returning to the free-agent market in September 2018.

Salami then joined Al-Qaisumah in January 2019, before completing free transfers to Al-Faisaly and later moving through Najran SC and Ohod Club. His career history also includes a loan spell at Serbia’s Red Star during the 2014-15 season, followed by a return to Shooting Stars.

A right-footed attacker standing 1.83m tall, Salami has recorded goals in domestic leagues and cup competitions in several countries. His 22 appearances for Saudi First Division League clubs produced four goals, while he scored four times in 17 appearances in Kazakhstan’s Premier Liga.

His latest move marks the end of his association with Al-Nasiriyah FC and leaves the Nigerian forward without a club from 3 August 2026.