Oakland Roots announced they’ve signed a contract with Liberian and Swedish international striker Peter Wilson on Wednesday.
Wilson, 28, embarks on his first venture playing professional football in the United States. He comes to Oakland entering the 11th year of his career with experience in Sweden, Norway, Moldova, Poland, and Cyprus. Wilson also competes on the Liberian National Team.
It’s another signing that brings a winning mentality to coach Gavin Glinton’s cast, having won the Moldovan Super Liga title with FC Sherriff in 2020/2021.
“Peter is a very prolific striker. He has represented his country and shown he knows how to score across different levels and on multiple different continents. He is a tireless worker and makes life difficult for opposition defenders,” Glinton said.
He fills a position of need after the club cut loose Dom Dwyer and Miche-Naider Chéry last week.
Multiple sources, including director of player personnel Nana Attakora, have described how Oakland is building its 2025 roster with “intention” to compete at the highest level. Wilson brings a goal-scorer’s pedigree, evident by some of his reported numbers.
With lower-tier football in leagues around Europe, it’s difficult to know what’s factual or inaccurate. According to FotMob, Wilson is coming off of a career year in 2024 with FK Ferv with an astonishing 20 goals in 29 total appearances on FK Jerv of the Norwegian Second Division.
Wilson is a right-footed center forward with secondary positions at left wing and central midfield, per Transfermarkt. His highest market value was €500,000 in 2018.
So what are Roots getting in Wilson?
Wilson knows how to find his way to the net. He’s made an impact on each club he’s been a part of.
His highlight reels on YouTube show a multi-faceted player as a finisher, playmaker, and physical athlete.
Where Wilson looks his best pressing the back line and making the most of his touches. He’s a successful scorer in a multitude of ways, like being a goal-poacher in front of the net, landing headers, finishing in close distance, or taking a touch into the box. He’s also good from the penalty spot, where his run-up involves a little hop like Ottar Magnus Karlsson did in 2022.
Something Karlsson commented on was the physicality of playing in North America. Wilson appears to fit the bill, often holding off a defender or nudging through them. His interplay in the center-forward role could’ve been something Roots was missing in 2024.
Below is a clip of him holding off a defender on a long ball, which has been a focal point of Glinton’s system.
Glinton ran twin strikers at times last season, especially in an attempt to chase a goal. Wilson has recently proved he can stay on the field, which they were missing in Dom Dwyer, and could be a solid pair with Rodriguez and the other creative players.
Wilson started his career with GIF Sundsvall of the Superettan, Sweden’s second division, in 2015 after emerging from their youth academy–making 98 total appearances for 19 goals and eight assists. He ventured to FC Sherriff in 2020, making 17 appearances and scoring seven times.
From there, he made his way to Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała of Poland’s third tier in 2021, appearing 13 times. Olympiakos Nicosia of Cyprus’ Second Division signed him later in 2021, appearing 27 times.
FK Jerv of the Norwegian Second Division signed him in 2022, appearing 42 total times and scoring 23 goals and two assists. He’s coming off a career year in 2024, scoring 20 goals.
Wilson is also a member of Liberia’s National Team, appearing 18 total times for two goals, per WorldFootball.net.