Ucheibe completes move to Al Hilal on a two-year deal after six seasons at Benfica, joining teammate Asisat Oshoala

Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe has completed a two-year move to Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Hilal, joining Nigeria teammate Asisat Oshoala at the Riyadh side known as the Blue Waves.

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Ms Ucheibe, 25, arrives as a free agent after six seasons with Portuguese champions Benfica.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica confirmed in June that her contract ended on 30 June 2026 and that she would take a new path. She had joined the Lisbon club in February 2020 from Swedish side Assi IF, aged 19.

In 179 appearances she scored 11 goals and collected a packed cabinet: six league titles, two Portuguese Cups, five League Cups and two Super Cups.

Benfica said she had grown into a Nigeria international, won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and hoped one day to return to the club she called family.

The former Nasarawa Amazons player had been offered a new deal in Portugal, according to reports at the time of her exit, but chose not to renew.

Saudi clubs have been paying salaries many European sides cannot match, and leaving as a free agent gave her a stronger hand in talks. Terms of the Al Hilal salary have not been published.

The signing pairs her with Ms Oshoala, Nigeria’s most decorated forward, in a league still building its name while spending heavily on African and European talent.

For Al Hilal it is another statement signing. For Ms Ucheibe it is a step away from weekly European competition after a trophy-laden spell in Lisbon.

On the international stage the midfielder remains part of the Super Falcons picture. She helped Nigeria win WAFCON in 2024.

This summer the defending champions fell to Cameroon in the 2026 quarter-finals and missed automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, leaving a play-off route still open.

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Whether the Ucheibe completes move to Riyadh lifts her club form before those play-offs will be judged on the pitch. The paperwork, at least, is done.