Official: Portugal’s Torreense sign Nigeria teen sensation ahead of UCL debut

Nigeria youth international Shakirat Moshood has completed a move to Portuguese top-flight club SCU Torreense on a two-year contract, Soccernet.ng reports.

The highly rated Super Falcons prospect leaves Nigeria Women Football League champions Bayelsa Queens to begin her first professional adventure in Europe, with her new deal running until the summer of 2028.

Moshood joins Torreense at an exciting time in the club's history. The Portuguese side has qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League for the first time and will begin their maiden campaign in the qualifying rounds later this year. Her arrival adds another talented young player to a squad preparing to test itself against Europe's strongest clubs.

Traditionally an attacking midfielder, Moshood is comfortable playing behind the striker and also on the flanks. She is known for her dangerous left foot, accurate passing, creative vision and surprising strength in aerial battles despite her age.

Her rise began on the international stage with Nigeria's Flamingos. At the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic, she announced herself to the world by scoring four goals during the group stage. The impressive return made her the tournament's joint-second highest scorer and helped Nigeria reach the quarterfinals.

She continued her development a year later by captaining the Flamingos at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, guiding the team into the Round of 16. Her performances throughout that period also earned her recognition across Africa as she finished as runner-up for the 2025 CAF Women's Youth Player of the Year award.

Moshood's progress has continued with promotion to Nigeria's U-20 side, the Falconets, where she played an important role in helping the team qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. At club level, she also celebrated success by helping Bayelsa Queens lift the NWFL Premiership title, while winning the WAFU B U-20 Girls' Cup with Nigeria.

Moshood: A perfect move as Torreense aim for European breakthrough

Moshood arrives at one of the fastest-rising clubs in Portuguese women's football.

For many years, the Campeonato Nacional Feminino was dominated by traditional giants Benfica and Sporting CP. Torreense changed that story by building a competitive squad capable of challenging the country's biggest teams.

The club recently enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in its history, completing a remarkable domestic treble by winning the Taça de Portugal, Taça da Liga and Supertaça. Those achievements secured their place among Portugal's elite and earned their first-ever qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Their success has been driven by manager Gonçalo Nunes, who has built a disciplined and united squad despite operating from the small town of Torres Vedras. Rather than depending only on academy graduates, Torreense have become known for identifying talented young players from around the world.

Moshood now joins an international group that includes American forward Maile Hayes and Dutch midfielder Gerda Konst, while Portuguese international defender Carolina Correia leads the team as captain.

If Moshood adapts quickly to Portuguese football, the transfer could become another important step toward establishing herself as a regular member of Nigeria's Super Falcons squad.