Anthony Ujah
Anthony Ujah (born 14 October 1990) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for German club Eintracht Braunschweig and the Nigeria national team.
| Ujah during his time with 1. FC Köln | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 October 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Ugbokolo, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Eintracht Braunschweig | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2007 | Abuja F.C. | ||
| 2008–2009 | Warri Wolves | 22 | (13) |
| 2010–2011 | Lillestrøm | 36 | (27) |
| 2011–2013 | Mainz 05 | 12 | (2) |
| 2012–2013 | → 1. FC Köln (loan) | 28 | (13) |
| 2013–2015 | 1. FC Köln | 66 | (21) |
| 2015–2016 | Werder Bremen | 30 | (11) |
| 2016–2017 | Liaoning Whowin | 39 | (10) |
| 2018–2019 | Mainz 05 | 33 | (4) |
| 2019–2022 | Union Berlin | 27 | (3) |
| 2022– | Eintracht Braunschweig | 36 | (13) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2013– | Nigeria | 7 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 October 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 September 2015 | |||
Early life edit
Ujah grew up in the little town of Ugbokolo in Nigeria's Benue State.[2]
Club career edit
Ujah began his career with Abuja F.C. In 2008, he was signed by Warri Wolves.[3] He left Warri Wolves in January 2010 to attend a trial with Lillestrøm.[4]
Lillestrøm edit
2010 season edit
Having impressed while attending the trial, Ujah signed a four-year contract with Lillestrøm and made his debut for the club on 14 March 2010 against Aalesunds FK.[5]
In January 2011, Ujah was linked with a move to England with Football League One clubs Swindon Town and Southampton reportedly interested.[6] On transfer deadline day, Ujah travelled to La Liga side Mallorca to discuss a move after Lillestrøm accepted a bid for the striker. However, no deal was signed, and Ujah started the 2011 campaign still in the Norway with Lillestrøm.[7]
2011 season edit
In the first game of the season on 3 March 2011, Ujah scored four goals in Lillestrøm's 7–0 victory away against Stabæk.[8] Following his strong performance, it was reported that PSV Eindhoven, among other European clubs such as Rennes, Lille, Toulouse and Sunderland, were keeping tabs on Ujah.[9] Ujah added to his tally by scoring a brace in his side's 5–0 of FK Haugesund on 25 April.[10] In May 2011, following his return of eight goals from the first six league matches for Lillestrøm, Ujah was linked to a host of bigger clubs from strong continental leagues including the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Eredivisie.[citation needed] A month later on 28 May, Ujah netted the winning goal in a 4–2 victory over Sarpsborg 08.[11] On 19 June 2011, Ujah again hit four goals for Lillestrøm, this time against Strømsgodset, helping his side to a 4–2 win in the Tippeligaen. After just 15 months in Norway, he built up a tremendous rapport with the club's supporters and arguably attained an almost legend-like status unheard of for a 20-year-old.[citation needed] He ended up scoring 30 goals in 42 matches across all official competitions for Lillestrøm.[12]
Mainz 05 edit
In June 2011, Ujah signed for 1. FSV Mainz 05,[13] after being tracked by several clubs, most notably Danish outfits F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF.[14] Ujah scored his first two goals for his new club in a 3–1 victory over VfB Stuttgart on 4 November,[15] ending his side's winless run that stretched back to mid-August and moved them three points clear of the relegation zone.[16]
On the last day of the summer 2012 transfer window, Ujah signed a season-loan to 1. FC Köln.[17]
Werder Bremen edit
On 5 May 2015, SV Werder Bremen announced that they had signed Ujah on a four-year contract, starting from the 2015–16 season.[18][19] On 24 October, Ujah scored a brace against his former club Mainz as Werder earned a 3–1 away win following five successive defeats.[20] Four days laters, he netted again, helping Werder to a 1–0 victory over his former club 1. FC Köln in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.[21] It was his first goal in a home match at the Weserstadion.[22]
Liaoning Whowin edit
On 5 July 2016, Werder Bremen announced Ujah would be joining Liaoning Whowin pending a medical for a reported transfer fee of €13 million. Both player and club had rejected a similar offer from Liaoning Whowin in the previous winter transfer window.[23][24] Two days later, the move was finalised with Ujah signing a three-year contract.[25] On 8 July 2016, Ujah scored on his debut for Liaoning in a 2–1 win over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright.[26]
Return to Mainz 05 edit
In December, it was announced that Ujah would return to the Bundesliga having re-signed with former club 1. FSV Mainz 05 on a 3+1⁄2-year contract until 2021.[27]
Union Berlin edit
In June 2019, Ujah's move to 1. FC Union Berlin, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, for the 2019–20 season was agreed. He signed a three-year deal.[28]
Eintracht Braunschweig edit
On 2 August 2022, Ujah signed with Eintracht Braunschweig on a one-year contract, with an optional extra year.[29]
International career edit
At the end of May 2011, Ujah was called up to the U23 Nigerian National Team that faced Tanzania on 5 June 2011.
He was selected for Nigeria's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.[30]
Career statistics edit
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lillestrøm | 2010 | Tippeligaen | 24 | 14 | 3 | 3 | — | 27 | 17 | |
| 2011 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 0 | — | 15 | 13 | |||
| Total | 36 | 27 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 30 | ||
| Mainz 05 | 2011–12 | Bundesliga | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 2012–13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 12 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | ||
| 1. FC Köln | 2012–13 | 2. Bundesliga | 28 | 13 | 3 | 0 | — | 31 | 13 | |
| 2013–14 | 34 | 11 | 3 | 0 | — | 37 | 11 | |||
| 2014–15 | Bundesliga | 32 | 10 | 3 | 2 | — | 35 | 12 | ||
| Total | 94 | 34 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 36 | ||
| Werder Bremen | 2015–16 | Bundesliga | 30 | 11 | 5 | 3 | — | 35 | 14 | |
| Liaoning Whowin | 2016 | Chinese Super League | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 | 5 | |||
| Total | 39 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 10 | ||
| Mainz 05 | 2017–18 | Bundesliga | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | |
| 2018–19 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | 23 | 4 | |||
| Total | 33 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 4 | ||
| Union Berlin | 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 24 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 28 | 4 | |
| 2020–21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 3 | ||
| Total | 56 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 7 | ||
| Career total | 300 | 94 | 29 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 331 | 103 | ||
- ^ Appearances in the Europa League
References edit
- ^ "Anthony Ujah". 1. FC Union Berlin (in German). Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Vor Flug in die Heimat: Derby-Held Ujah öffnet sein Familienalbum" [Ahead of home-bound flight: Ujah opens his family album]. Express (in German). 23 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Nigeria: Ujah, Obaje Dazzle in Denmark". Daily Champion. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ Sødal, Per Morten (23 January 2010). "Blir med til La Manga" [Joining to La Manga]. Romerikes Blad (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ Andersen, Truls (14 March 2010). "Her er Lillestrøms nye spissjuvel" [Here is Lillestrøms new striker jewel]. VG Sport (in Norwegian). Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "Anthony Ujah Biography / Profile". Manpower. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Lillestrøm solgte ikke Ujah likevel" [Lillestrøm did not sell Ujah yet]. Dagbladet (in Norwegian). 1 February 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Stabæk - Lillestrøm". fotball.no. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ Mahadew, Vincent (19 April 2011). "PSV wil zich weer versterken met Nigeriaans talent". Elf Voetbal (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Lillestrøm - Haugesund". fotball.no. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ . fotball.no. 28 May 2011. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Profile at Nifs.no". nifs.no. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Mainz 05 Signs Anthony Ujah From Lillestrom". SBNation.com. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (28 June 2011). "Nigeria under-23 striker Ujah joins German club Mainz". BBC News. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ "Gamecast: Mainz vs. VfB Stuttgart". ESPN Soccernet. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ "Two sent off as Mainz end drought". ESPN Soccernet. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (31 August 2011). "Nigerian Anthony Ujah joins Cologne on loan from Mainz". BBC News. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ Harding, Jonathan (5 May 2015). "Anthony Ujah to join Werder Bremen". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Werder holt Ujah als Selke-Nachfolger". dfb.de. 5 May 2015.
- ^ "Bremen end losing streak with stunning six-minute spell". Bundesliga. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Werder Bremen 1 - 0 Köln Team line-ups 10/28/15 - DFB Pokal - Goal.com". Goal. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Anthony Ujah" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "Von Bremen nach China: Ujah-Wechsel ist perfekt". kicker Online (in German). 5 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ Klemm, Hans-Günter (5 July 2016). "Geldregen für Werder: Ujah erliegt Lockruf aus China". kicker Online (in German). Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- ^ "辽足2亿先生：压力就是动力 首秀服从教练安排". Sina Sports (in Chinese). 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ "Ujah trifft bei seinem Debüt für Liaoning". kicker Online (in German). 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
- ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (21 December 2017). "Nigeria's Anthony Ujah re-joins Mainz from China's Liaoning". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Taiwo, Taiye (20 June 2019). "Newly-promoted Bundesliga club Union Berlin snap up Nigeria's Anthony Ujah". Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ "Anthony Ujah wird ein Löwe" [Anthony Ujah becomes a lion]. www.eintracht.com (in German). 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ "Nigeria to take new-look squad to Confederations Cup". BBC Sport. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ^ "A. Ujah". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
External links edit
- Anthony Ujah at National-Football-Teams.com
- Anthony Ujah at Soccerway