Anthony Ujah

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Anthony Ujah

| image = Empfang für den 1. FC Köln im Rathaus-8945.jpg

| caption = Ujah during his time with 1. FC Köln

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|10|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Ugbokolo, Nigeria

| height = 1.80 m{{cite web | url = https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/de/fussball/profis/kader/detail/Anthony-Ujah-11985l/2019-20-61o/ | title = Anthony Ujah | language = de | website = 1. FC Union Berlin | access-date = 27 October 2019}}

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Botev Plovdiv

| clubnumber = 11

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2005–2007

| clubs1 = Abuja F.C.

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2008–2009

| clubs2 = Warri Wolves

| caps2 = 22

| goals2 = 13

| years3 = 2010–2011

| clubs3 = Lillestrøm

| caps3 = 36

| goals3 = 27

| years4 = 2011–2013

| clubs4 = Mainz 05

| caps4 = 12

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2012–2013

| clubs5 = → 1. FC Köln (loan)

| caps5 = 28

| goals5 = 13

| years6 = 2013–2015

| clubs6 = 1. FC Köln

| caps6 = 66

| goals6 = 21

| years7 = 2015–2016

| clubs7 = Werder Bremen

| caps7 = 30

| goals7 = 11

| years8 = 2016–2017

| clubs8 = Liaoning Whowin

| caps8 = 39

| goals8 = 10

| years9 = 2018–2019

| clubs9 = Mainz 05

| caps9 = 33

| goals9 = 4

| years10 = 2019–2022

| clubs10 = Union Berlin

| caps10 = 27

| goals10 = 3

| years11 = 2022–2024

| clubs11 = Eintracht Braunschweig

| caps11 = 52

| goals11 = 13

| years12 = 2024–

| clubs12 = Botev Plovdiv

| caps12 = 1

| goals12 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2013–

| nationalteam1 = Nigeria

| nationalcaps1 = 7

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 12 December 2024

| nationalteam-update = 8 September 2015

}}

Anthony Ujah (born 14 October 1990) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bulgarian First League club Botev Plovdiv and the Nigeria national team.

Early life

Ujah grew up in the little town of Ugbokolo in Nigeria's Benue State.{{cite news|title=Vor Flug in die Heimat: Derby-Held Ujah öffnet sein Familienalbum|trans-title=Ahead of home-bound flight: Ujah opens his family album|url=http://www.express.de/sport/fussball/1--fc-koeln/vor-flug-in-die-heimat-derby-held-ujah-oeffnet-sein-familienalbum-3901730|access-date=7 December 2015|work=Express|date=23 December 2013|language=de}}

Club career

Ujah began his career with Abuja F.C. In 2008, he was signed by Warri Wolves.{{cite web|title=Nigeria: Ujah, Obaje Dazzle in Denmark|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201002081172.html|publisher=Daily Champion|access-date=1 November 2015|date=5 February 2010}} He left Warri Wolves in January 2010 to attend a trial with Lillestrøm.{{cite news|last1=Sødal|first1=Per Morten|title=Blir med til La Manga|trans-title=Joining to La Manga|url=http://www.rb.no/lsk-magasinet/blir-med-til-la-manga/s/1-95-4822949|access-date=15 December 2015|work=Romerikes Blad|date=23 January 2010|language=no}}

=Lillestrøm=

==2010 season==

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.{{cite news|last1=Andersen|first1=Truls|title=Her er Lillestrøms nye spissjuvel|trans-title=Here is Lillestrøms new striker jewel|url=http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/aalesund/her-er-lillestroems-nye-spissjuvel/a/594104/|access-date=8 September 2012|work=VG Sport|date=14 March 2010|language=no}}

In January 2011, Ujah was linked with a move to England with Football League One clubs Swindon Town and Southampton reportedly interested.{{cite web |title= Anthony Ujah Biography / Profile |url=https://www.manpower.com.ng/people/15618/anthony-ujah |website=Manpower |access-date=29 January 2019}} 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.{{cite news|title=Lillestrøm solgte ikke Ujah likevel|trans-title= Lillestrøm did not sell Ujah yet|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/02/01/sport/fotball/lillestrom/anthony_ujah/tippeligaen/15269837/|access-date=7 December 2015|work=Dagbladet|date=1 February 2011|language=no}}

==2011 season==

In the first game of the season on 3 March 2011, Ujah scored four goals in Lillestrøm's 7–0 victory away against Stabæk.{{cite web|url=http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/Kampfakta/?matchId=5256277 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802025945/http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/Kampfakta/?matchId=5256277 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 August 2012 |title=Stabæk - Lillestrøm |publisher=fotball.no |date=20 March 2011 |access-date=9 September 2012 }} 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.{{cite news|last1=Mahadew|first1=Vincent|title=PSV wil zich weer versterken met Nigeriaans talent|url=http://www.elfvoetbal.nl/nieuws/126903_psv-wil-zich-weer-versterken-met-nigeriaans-talent|access-date=7 December 2015|work=Elf Voetbal|date=19 April 2011|language=nl}} Ujah added to his tally by scoring a brace in his side's 5–0 of FK Haugesund on 25 April.{{cite web|url=http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/Kampfakta/?matchId=5256287 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803010920/http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/Kampfakta/?matchId=5256287 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2012 |title=Lillestrøm - Haugesund |publisher=fotball.no |date=25 April 2011 |access-date=9 September 2012 }} 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|date=December 2015}} A month later on 28 May, Ujah netted the winning goal in a 4–2 victory over Sarpsborg 08.{{cite web|url=http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/Kampfakta/?matchId=5256217 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527165136/http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/Kampfakta/?matchId=5256217 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2011 |title=Sarpsborg 08 - Lillestrøm |publisher=fotball.no |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=9 September 2012 }} 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|date=December 2015}} He ended up scoring 30 goals in 42 matches across all official competitions for Lillestrøm.{{cite web|title=Profile at Nifs.no|url=http://www.nifs.no/personprofil.php?land=1&u=6683&t=5&person_id=63220|website=nifs.no|access-date=7 December 2015}}

=Mainz 05=

In June 2011, Ujah signed for Mainz 05, after being tracked by several clubs, most notably Danish outfits F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF.{{cite web| url = https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/6/28/2249473/mainz-05-signs-anthony-ujah-from-lillestrom | title = Mainz 05 Signs Anthony Ujah From Lillestrom | publisher = SBNation.com | date = 28 June 2011 | access-date = 9 September 2012}}{{cite web| last = Okeleji | first = Oluwashina | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13944959.stm | title = Nigeria under-23 striker Ujah joins German club Mainz | work = BBC News | date = 28 June 2011 | access-date = 9 September 2012}} Early in his Mainz career, Ujah missed multiple chances and scored a crucial own goal as Mainz were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League by Gaz Metan Mediaș.{{Cite book |last1=Meuren |first1=Daniel |title=Thomas Tuchel: Rulebreaker |last2=Schaechter |first2=Tobias |publisher=Biteback Publishing |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-78590-723-4 |pages=143–145 |language=EN}} Ujah scored his first two goals for his new club in a 3–1 victory over VfB Stuttgart on 4 November, ending his side's winless run that stretched back to mid-August and moved them three points clear of the relegation zone; however, these were the only Bundesliga goals he scored that season, and he made only three substitute appearances after the winter break.{{cite web| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=320942&cc=5901 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120715004939/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=320942&cc=5901 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 July 2012 | title = Two sent off as Mainz end drought | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 4 November 2011 | access-date = 9 September 2012}}{{cite web| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=320942&cc=5901 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120719072740/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=320942&cc=5901 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 July 2012 | title = Gamecast: Mainz vs. VfB Stuttgart | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 4 November 2011 | access-date = 9 September 2012}}{{Cite web |title=Anthony Ujah {{!}} Laufbahn {{!}} Spielerprofil |url=https://www.kicker.de/anthony-ujah/laufbahn |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}

= 1. FC Köln =

On the last day of the summer 2012 transfer window, Ujah signed for 1. FC Köln on a season-long loan.{{cite web| last = Okeleji | first = Oluwashina | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19436754 | title = Nigerian Anthony Ujah joins Cologne on loan from Mainz | work = BBC News | date = 31 August 2011 | access-date = 9 September 2012}} He scored 13 goals in the 2012–13 2. Bundesliga and the transfer was made permanent at the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Köln striker Ujah agrees Bremen deal {{!}} SV Werder Bremen |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/0000319677.jsp |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website |language=en}}

Köln won promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2013–14 season, with Ujah forming a strike partnership alongside Patrick Helmes. Ujah was the club's top scorer in the 2014–15 Bundesliga season, scoring 10 goals. In March 2015, Ujah made headlines for his celebration after scoring a goal against Eintracht Frankfurt; the striker ran towards the club's goat mascot, Hennes, and grabbed its horns.{{Cite news |last=sport |first=Guardian |date=2015-03-09 |title=Cologne's Anthony Ujah apologises to goat mascot after goal celebration |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/09/cologne-anthony-ujah-goat-celebration-apology-bundesliga |access-date=2024-05-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In 2020 Ujah described his spell at Köln as the best time in his career.{{cite news |title=Köln spielt für Ujah eine besonders große Rolle |trans-title=Cologne plays a particularly important role for Ujah |url=https://www.kicker.de/koeln_spielt_fuer_ujah_eine_besonders_grosse_rolle-777162/artikel |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Kicker |date=9 June 2020 |language=German}}

=Werder Bremen=

On 5 May 2015, Werder Bremen announced that they had triggered Ujah's release clause and he would join the club for the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|last1=Harding|first1=Jonathan|title=Anthony Ujah to join Werder Bremen|url=http://www.dw.com/en/anthony-ujah-to-join-werder-bremen/a-18429397|access-date=7 July 2017|work=Deutsche Welle|date=5 May 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/news/detail/fc-bayern-mit-lewandowski-nach-barcelona-aber-ohne-rode-und-ribery-122253/|title=Werder holt Ujah als Selke-Nachfolger|date=5 May 2015|work=dfb.de}} On 24 October, Ujah scored a brace against his former club Mainz as Werder earned a 3–1 away win following five successive defeats.{{cite web|title=Bremen end losing streak with stunning six-minute spell|url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/blmd10n-1-fsv-mainz-05-1-3-sv-werder-bremen-report.jsp|publisher=Bundesliga|access-date=24 October 2015|date=24 October 2015}} 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.{{cite web|title=Werder Bremen 1 - 0 Köln Team line-ups 10/28/15 - DFB Pokal - Goal.com|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/werder-bremen-vs-köln/2139713?ICID=RE|publisher=Goal|access-date=29 October 2015}} It was his first goal in a home match at the Weserstadion.

=Liaoning Whowin=

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.{{cite news|title=Von Bremen nach China: Ujah-Wechsel ist perfekt|url=https://www.kicker.de/von-bremen-nach-china_ujah-wechsel-ist-perfekt-655354/artikel|access-date=5 July 2016|work=kicker Online|date=5 July 2016|language=de}}{{cite news|last1=Klemm|first1=Hans-Günter|title=Geldregen für Werder: Ujah erliegt Lockruf aus China|url=https://www.kicker.de/geldregen-fuer-werder_ujah-erliegt-lockruf-aus-china-655293/artikel|access-date=5 July 2016|work=kicker Online|date=5 July 2016|language=de}} Two days later, the move was finalised with Ujah signing a three-year contract.{{cite web|title=辽足2亿先生：压力就是动力首秀服从教练安排|url=http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2016-07-07/doc-ifxtwihp9748162.shtml|website=Sina Sports|date=7 July 2016 |access-date=7 July 2016|language=zh}} On 8 July 2016, Ujah scored on his debut for Liaoning in a 2–1 win over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright.{{cite news|title=Ujah trifft bei seinem Debüt für Liaoning|url=https://www.kicker.de/ujah-trifft-bei-seinem-debuet-fuer-liaoning-655589/artikel|access-date=10 July 2016|work=kicker Online|date=10 July 2016|language=de}}

=Return to Mainz 05=

In December, it was announced that Ujah would return to the Bundesliga having re-signed with former club Mainz 05 on a {{frac|3|1|2}}-year contract until 2021.{{cite news|last1=Okeleji|first1=Oluwashina|title=Nigeria's Anthony Ujah re-joins Mainz from China's Liaoning|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42438785|access-date=23 December 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=21 December 2017}} Although he only scored four league goals in his second spell at Mainz, Ujah did help Mainz beat rivals Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in May 2019 with a brace.

=Union Berlin=

In June 2019, Ujah's move to Union Berlin, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, for the 2019–20 season was agreed. He signed a three-year deal.{{cite web |last1=Taiwo |first1=Taiye |title=Newly-promoted Bundesliga club Union Berlin snap up Nigeria's Anthony Ujah |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/newly-promoted-bundesliga-club-union-berlin-snap-up-nigerias/trrq1q2y10fr10i5c45y0mpby |access-date=21 June 2019 |date=20 June 2019}} Ujah contributed three goals in his first season for Union, but spent a long time out injured and was released in summer 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-14 |title=Nigeria duo Ujah, Abdullahi part ways with Bundesliga side Union Berlin {{!}} Goal.com UK |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/nigeria-duo-of-ujah-abdullahi-part-ways-with-bundesliga-side-union-berlin/blte869ee8c68066edd |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-GB}}

= Eintracht Braunschweig =

On 2 August 2022, Ujah signed with Eintracht Braunschweig on a one-year contract, with an optional extra year.{{Cite web |date=2 August 2022 |title=Anthony Ujah wird ein Löwe |trans-title=Anthony Ujah becomes a lion |url=https://www.eintracht.com/news/artikel/anthony-ujah-wird-ein-loewe |access-date=2 August 2022 |website=www.eintracht.com |language=de}} His contract was renewed for a second season after Eintracht Braunschweig avoided relegation, with Ujah contributing ten goals and five assists in the 2. Bundesliga.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-31 |title=Vertrag von Anthony Ujah verlängert |url=https://www.eintracht.com/news/artikel/vertrag-von-anthony-ujah-verlaengert |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.eintracht.com |language=de}}

=Botev Plovdiv=

On 19 June 2024, Ujah moved to Bulgaria, signing a deal with Botev Plovdiv.{{cite web |title=Ботев привлече нападател с над 100 мача в Бундеслигата |trans-title=Botev signs striker with over 100 games in the Bundesliga |url=https://dsport.bg/botev-plovdiv-privleche-napadatel-s-nad-100-macha-v-bundesligata~167576.html |website=Dsport |publisher=Darik Digital AD |access-date=19 June 2024 |date=19 June 2024 |language=bg |archive-date=19 June 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240619154124/https://dsport.bg/botev-plovdiv-privleche-napadatel-s-nad-100-macha-v-bundesligata~167576.html |url-status=live}} In July 2024, he scored in both legs of the UEFA Europa League qualifying matches against Maribor, which saw Botev Plovdiv prevail 4:3 on aggregate.{{cite web|author=|publisher=temasport.com|language=Bulgarian| title=В Гърция отличиха Попето, Уджа и Акере|url=https://temasport.com/%D0%B2-%D0%B3%D1%8A%D1%80%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BE-%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0-%D0%B8-%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5/|date=20 July 2024|access-date=20 August 2024}} In August 2024, in the return encounter of the next round against Panathinaikos, Ujah suffered a torn ligament, which subsequently necessitated a knee operation and is expected to sideline him for a number of months.{{cite web|author=|publisher=gong.bg|language=Bulgarian| title=Звездата на Ботев Пд мина операцията, неподвижен ще е над месец|url=https://gong.bg/bg-football/efbet-liga/multimedia/video/zvezdata-na-botev-pd-mina-operaciiata-nepodvizhen-shte-e-nad-mesec-803953|date=8 August 2024|access-date=20 August 2024}}

International career

At the end of May 2011, Ujah was called up to the Nigeria national U23 team that faced Tanzania on 5 June 2011.

He was selected for Nigeria's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22827902|title=Nigeria to take new-look squad to Confederations Cup|date=9 June 2013|access-date=10 June 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 1 August 2024|{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/anthony-ujah/spieler/parva-liga/2024-25/botev-plovdiv | title = Anthony Ujah | language = de | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 6 December 2015}}{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/anthony-ujah/122073/ | title = A. Ujah | publisher = Soccerway | access-date = 2 August 2022}}}}

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Lillestrøm \|2010 \|rowspan="2"\|Tippeligaen \|24	14	3	3	colspan="2"\|—	27	17
2011 \|12	13	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	15	13
colspan="2"\|Total !36	27	6	3	0	0	42	30
rowspan="3"\|Mainz 05 \|2011–12 \|rowspan="2"\|Bundesliga \|12	2	2	0	2{{efn\|name=UEL\|Appearances in the Europa League}}	0	16	2
2012–13 \|0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total !12	2	3	0	2	0	17	2
rowspan="4"\|1. FC Köln \|2012–13 \|rowspan="2"\|2. Bundesliga \|28	13	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	31	13
2013–14 \|34	11	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	37	11
2014–15 \|Bundesliga \|32	10	3	2	colspan="2"\|—	35	12
colspan="2"\|Total !94	34	9	2	0	0	103	36
Werder Bremen \|2015–16 \|Bundesliga \|30	11	5	3	colspan="2"\|—	35	14
rowspan="3"\|Liaoning Whowin \|2016 \|rowspan="2"\|Chinese Super League \|15	5	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	15	5
2017 \|24	5	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	24	5
colspan="2"\|Total !39	10	0	0	0	0	39	10
rowspan="3"\|Mainz 05 \|2017–18 \|rowspan="2"\|Bundesliga \|11	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	12	0
2018–19 \|22	4	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	23	4
colspan="2"\|Total !33	4	2	0	0	0	35	4
rowspan="4"\|Union Berlin \|2019–20 \|rowspan="3"\|Bundesliga \|24	3	4	1	colspan="2"\|—	28	4
2020–21 \|0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0
2021–22 \|3	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	3	0
colspan="2"\|Total !27	3	4	1	0	0	31	4
rowspan="3"\|Eintracht Braunschweig \|2022–23 \|rowspan="2"\|2. Bundesliga \|29	10	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	30	10
2023–24 \|23	3	1	1	colspan="2"\|—	24	4
colspan="2"\|Total !52	13	2	1	0	0	54	14
Botev Plovdiv \|2024–25 \|First League \|1	0	0	0	4	2	5	2
colspan="3"\|Career total !324	104	31	14	4	0	361	116