Arsenal sensation Bukayo Saka has put a ring on it — and proudly kept it rooted in Yoruba heritage.
The 24-year-old England international announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Tolami Benson, also 24, on December 1, 2025, sharing romantic proposal photos that instantly went viral. The couple, both children of Yoruba-Nigerian parents who migrated to the UK, have dated quietly for about five years.
Born in Ealing to Adenike and Yomi Saka, Bukayo — whose name means “adds to happiness” in Yoruba — has never hidden his pride in his identity. Now he has chosen a life partner who shares the same language, values, and cultural instincts.
Sources close to the couple say Tolami, a planning executive, speaks fluent Yoruba just like Saka’s parents, effortlessly switches to traditional greetings, and knows exactly how to show respect in a Yoruba home. The feeling is mutual when Saka visits her family.
“Their bond is unbreakable because it’s built on shared roots,” a friend told NewsFocus. “Being with her gives Bukayo a deep sense of home even while living in London. When they speak Yoruba together, it’s their private world — no one else understands.”
Family approval was instant. Both sets of parents see the union as a beautiful example of cultural preservation in the diaspora. Trips to Lagos remain sacred for Saka, where locals greet the “Starboy” in Yoruba and celebrate his connection to the soil.
The proposal took place last month in a luxury London hotel, complete with an “enormous” diamond ring and a candle-lit setup. Tolami has been a constant, low-key presence at Arsenal and England games, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Fans have flooded social media with praise for the “pure love story,” applauding Saka’s grounded nature and his decision to marry within his culture.
With whispers of a grand wedding blending Nigerian tradition and British elegance already circulating, one thing is clear: for Bukayo Saka, success on the pitch now comes with joy off it — in a union that speaks his mother tongue.
