Anthony Ujah dumps China for Germany

Anthony Ujah

Nigerian international, Anthony Ujah, has made a sensational return to Germany, 12 months after joining the bandwagon to China.

Ujah, who has spent a better part of his club career in the Bundesliga, returns to Mainz, where it all started in 2011.

The 27-year-old scored twice in 17 appearances for the club in the 2011-12 season before he switched to Cologne.

He will now link up with compatriot, Leon Balogun, also on the payroll of the Carnival club.

“I’m extremely happy to return to Mainz. I’m looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga again,” Ujah, who joined from Liaoning Whowin, told the club’s website.

“I have only good memories of my time here [at Mainz]. My ambition is to help the team from the second half of the season to reach the goals of the club.”

Mainz sporting director, Rouven Schröder, is delighted with the reunion and believes the Super Eagle will improve the squad.

“Anthony [Ujah] is an athletic, determined and strong attacker who has proved his qualities at the Bundesliga level,” said Schröder.

“He adds real value to our squad, a great character and due to his short past here. We made sure that he commits to a long-term future at Mainz.”

Ujah is an experienced Bundesliga campaigner.

He scored 36 goals in 102 matches during his three years at Cologne, adding to his 14 strikes at Werder Bremen.

Ujah began his career at Nigerian side, Warri Wolves, before joining Lillestrom on a four-year deal in February 2010.

Highly revered in Norway after scoring 32 goals in 42 appearances for Lillestrom, Mainz had to beat off competitions from several sides to snap him up in June 2011.

Ujah has made just six appearances for Nigeria since making his debut in 2013.