London, November 29, 2025 – Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka has confirmed his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Tolami Benson. The 24-year-old winger proposed to his partner of five years during an intimate and meticulously planned evening at a luxury hotel in London on November 17, 2025.
The couple broke the news to the world on Friday evening through a joint Instagram post featuring a series of stunning black-and-white photographs. The post was simply captioned “17.11.25” – the exact date of the proposal – alongside images of Tolami’s hand displaying a strikingly large diamond engagement ring, and the pair relaxing together in elegant hotel surroundings, radiating happiness and calm sophistication.
Both Saka and Benson, who share Nigerian heritage, have always kept their relationship exceptionally private. They are understood to have started dating in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and successfully managed to stay out of the spotlight for the first two years. Their romance only became public knowledge when Tolami was spotted supporting England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, wearing a custom leather jacket with Saka’s original Arsenal number “87” proudly emblazoned on the back.
Since then, Tolami has become a familiar and stylish presence in the stands at both club and international matches. She was a constant source of support throughout Euro 2024, often pictured in the same iconic “87” jacket or wearing England-themed outfits that quickly went viral among fans. Despite the growing attention, the couple have maintained remarkable discretion – notably, they do not even follow each other on Instagram, with Saka’s account dedicated solely to football and Tolami’s feed offering only occasional glimpses into her life.
A close source told The Sun newspaper: “Bukayo went all out for the proposal – and the ring he chose is absolutely enormous. He’d organised a special night at a top London hotel and proposed there. It was incredibly special and Tolami was totally blown away.”
Tolami Benson, also 24, has built an impressive career of her own. A Birmingham City University graduate with a degree in Public Relations and Media, she worked on the shop floor at Harrods before moving into the communications industry. In May 2025 she was appointed Senior Planning Executive at Zenith, one of London’s leading media agencies, where she now helps shape campaigns for major global brands.
On the pitch, the timing of the engagement could hardly be better for Saka. The Arsenal star has started the 2025–26 season in scintillating form, registering three goals and five assists in his first 11 Premier League games while also captaining the side on several occasions in Martin Ødegaard’s absence. Just three days ago he delivered another standout performance in the Champions League, providing the assist for Jurrien Timber’s goal in Arsenal’s 3–1 victory over Bayern Munich.
The announcement has been met with an outpouring of congratulations across social media. Arsenal fans, England supporters and the wider football community have flooded timelines with messages of joy, many expressing disbelief at how quickly their beloved “Starboy” has grown up. Nigerian media outlets have also celebrated the news with pride, highlighting the couple’s shared heritage and the positive representation they bring.
From secret lockdown romance to a breathtaking London proposal, Bukayo Saka and Tolami Benson’s love story has captured hearts far beyond the Emirates Stadium. As wedding plans quietly begin, one thing is certain: whatever date they choose for the big day, it will be every bit as thoughtful, elegant and deeply personal as the moment he asked her to be his wife.
Congratulations poured in from teammates, clubs and fans alike, with many declaring the couple a perfect match both on and off the pitch. For now, Saka returns his focus to Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures – including a mouth-watering Premier League clash against Chelsea – with Chelsea – carrying not just the captain’s armband when called upon, but also the quiet glow of a man whose life off the field is now more complete than ever.
