Victor Olatunji: ‘I Hope to Help My Team with Goals and Assists’
Nigerian joins MLS side, Real Salt Lake from Czech champions Sparta Prague
‘I am excited to meet the fans,’ said Victor Olatunji, moments after sealing his move to Real Salt Lake.
‘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. I also hope to help my team with goals and assists and whatever is asked of me.’
With those words, the 25-year-old Nigerian striker officially began his journey in Major League Soccer, joining Real Salt Lake on a permanent transfer from Czech champions Sparta Prague. The deal runs through June 2028, with club options for the remainder of that year and all of the 2029 season.
Born in Sokoto, Nigeria, Olatunji arrives in Utah with a reputation for scoring in big moments. Over the last two seasons, he netted 20 goals in 93 appearances for Sparta Prague, helping the club win both the Czech First League and the Czech Cup in the 2023/24 campaign.
His impact extended to Europe, where he scored six goals in 14 UEFA Champions League matches—including a goal and assist in his debut against Red Bull Salzburg, making him the first Nigerian to achieve that feat in a Champions League debut.
Olatunji’s landmark moments include a dramatic 87th-minute goal in a 4–1 comeback win over Dinamo Zagreb, which secured Sparta’s place in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League. He also scored the club’s lone goal in a narrow 1–2 defeat to Brest last November.
Before his time in Prague, Olatunji played for six clubs across Slovakia, Austria, Cyprus, and the Czech Republic, scoring 43 goals in 105 matches. His journey from Sokoto to Europe and now to the United States reflects a career built on resilience, adaptability, and a hunger for growth.
‘I very much look forward to playing in Utah and in America,’ Olatunji said. ‘I have seen and heard good things about Real Salt Lake, the whole setup, and this inspires me to be here today..
