AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016 - GROUP STAGE - 4TH MATCHES - all results

Mamelodi Sundowns reach the Champions League semi-final

28 Jul 2016
AFRICAN CONFEDERATION CUP 2016 - GROUP STAGE - 4TH MATCHES - ALL RESULTS

Champions Etoile du Sahel and Medeama of Ghana secured victories.

27 Jul 2016
STARS IN EUROPE - IVORY COAST - Celtic to complete signing Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure has been in Glasgow for a medical

24 Jul 2016
STARS IN EUROPE - IVORY COAST - CLUB - Watford sign Brice Dja Djedje

Watford sign defender Brice Dja Djedje on four-year deal.

23 Jul 2016
STARS IN EUROPE - FRANCE - CLUB - CHELSEA SIGN N’GOLO KANTE

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Leicester City to sign N'Golo Kante

22 Jul 2016
STARS IN ASIA - SENEGAL - CLUB - Demba Ba suffers broken leg

Ex-Chelsea & Newcastle striker suffers broken leg

19 Jul 2016
AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016 - GROUP STAGE - 3RD MATCHES - ALL RESULTS

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Zamalek.

18 Jul 2016
AFRICAN CONFEDERATION CUP 2016 - GROUP STAGE - 3RD MATCHES - ALL RESULTS

Etoile du Sahel secured their first victory.

18 Jul 2016
STARS IN EUROPE - SWITZERLAND - CLUB - Breel Embolo joins Schalke

Breel Embolo joins Schalke from Basel on five-year contract.

17 Jul 2016

STARS IN EUROPE - NIGERIA - CLUB - Ujah rejects 'bigger offers' to join Werder Bremen

WERDER BREMEN Anthony Ujah

Nigeria international striker Anthony Ujah has revealed he turned down 'bigger financial offers' from Russia and China in order to secure his preferred move to Werder Bremen.

The 224-year-oldscored 36 goals in 102 appearances for German side Cologne to attract interest from an unnamed club in China wwhich wasset to triple his wages.

He also received big offers from two Russian clubs, but Ujah opted for Werder Bremen to continue his development in the German Bundesliga.

"I had two options: to follow the money or walk the steps of career development," Ujah told BBC Sport.

"I have big ambitions and going that route, 'money over development', at this stage of my career could affect my progress."

Cologne were in the second tier when Ujah initially joined in 2012 from Mainz 05 before making the move permanent a year later.

He scored 13 league goals in his first season and 11 in the 2013/14 season to help the club secure a return to the top flight.

Ujah added 10 goals for Cologne last campaign to ensure another stay in the top flight before completing his switch to four-time Bundesliga champions Werder Bremen.

He admitted that it was the right time to leave Cologne and start afresh.

"After three years in Cologne, I wanted a completely fresh challenge away from my comfort zone.

"Other clubs presented interesting offers as well, but Werder Bremen fit into my ambition and desire.

"I joined a club on the way up with big plans."

The Super Eagle also revealed that Werder coach Viktor Skrypnyk played a massive role in his decision to move to the Weserstadion.

"When I spoke to the coach, he surprised me by analysing my football, strength, and how I fit into his plans," he explained.

"His exceptional interest in details and time spent studying my game gave me extra motivation to want to repay him and hopefully move my game and career to the next level.

"Notable strikers like Claudio Pizarro, Ivan Klasnić, Miroslav Klose and others left from Bremen to bigger clubs and careers. It's obviously a good path to follow."

Ujah, who was part of the Nigeria squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, has made five international appearances for his country.

Despite his omission from the 2014 World Cup squad and a recent 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Ujah remains confident his club form will hopefully earn him a recall.

"There is a lot of talent in Nigeria, amazing players, and it's not an easy decision for the coach," he added.

"I am optimistic that if I continue to do well with my club, I'll get another chance, but right now I just want to get started with Bremen."

 

4 Jul 2015
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

Related countries

Related articles