Nigeria’s Super Falcons midfielder Halimatu Ayinde will continue her career in Sweden after completing a move to Damallsvenskan champions BK Häcken ahead of the new season.
Ayinde joins Häcken following her departure from FC Rosengård, bringing an end to her time with the Malmö-based club. The move sees the experienced midfielder link up with the reigning Swedish champions as they prepare to defend their domestic title and compete on the European stage.
Remaining in Sweden offers Ayinde continuity in a league where she has already built a strong reputation as one of the most reliable midfielders in women’s football. At the same time, the switch presents a fresh challenge, with Häcken standing among the most ambitious and consistently successful clubs in the country.
Renowned for her tactical intelligence, ball-winning ability, and positional discipline, Ayinde adds leadership, depth, and valuable continental experience to Häcken’s midfield. Her presence is expected to be particularly important in high-pressure fixtures, where control, composure, and defensive balance often determine outcomes.
A regular fixture in the Super Falcons setup, Ayinde’s arrival is set to strengthen Häcken’s midfield structure as the club looks to build on last season’s success both domestically and in Europe.
Beyond her on-field qualities, Ayinde’s journey to the top of African football is one defined by resilience and quiet defiance. Born in Kaduna to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother, she grew up in conservative neighborhoods where young girls were expected to follow traditional paths rather than pursue sporting ambitions.
Driven by an unshakable passion for football, Ayinde often had to sneak out to play barefoot with boys, defying cultural expectations to chase her dream. From those secret kickabouts to commanding midfields at the highest level, her story is a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and self-belief.
That journey was on full display at the 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Ayinde emerged as the heartbeat of a Nigerian side blending experience with youthful energy. Her calm distribution, timely interceptions, and tactical awareness provided balance and control, allowing the team’s attacking talents to flourish.
Ayinde was part of the Super Falcons squad that delivered a dramatic 4–3 victory over hosts Morocco in the WAFCON final in Rabat, a triumph that further cemented her status as one of Africa’s most dependable midfielders.
As she begins this new chapter with BK Häcken, Ayinde brings not just quality and experience but a story of resilience that mirrors the ambition of her new club.
