Nigeria international and Union Berlin striker, Anthony Ujah has revealed why he refused to sign for Spanish Club Real Mallorca in January 2012.
The Benue-born forward disclosed that he is always guided by his principles in every deal he has entered.
Speaking with Footballers Connect, a platform that provides footballers with information and support, Ujah said his decision not to betray his Nigerian agent stopped him from joining the relegation-threatened Real Mallorca side at the time.
“The deal was not favourable to my Agent in Nigeria who brought me to Norway,” – Ujah said.
His move from Nigeria to Lillestrom Football Club in Norway was brokered by Odion Ighalo’s agent, Attah Aneke.
After an impressive showing in the Norwegian league, netting 14 times in the season at the time, Ujah became the cynosure of all eyes and was being courted by Real Mallorca tutored by Michael Laudrup.
“They had their strikers injured and were in need of a replacement badly. I was there and everything looked good but my Nigerian agent Attah Aneke who took me to Norway didn’t make the trip. So I was represented by another agent who was doing everything for himself. It would have been my upgrade in terms of salary, the league, playing against Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and the likes, but I was never going to betray him, that would not happen.”
“I stood by my principles and pulled out of the deal 11pm. The transfer window was closing in an hour’s time. It was not my problem what the club was going through but, I would never be able to play or give my best to the team knowing that something happened to the agent that brought me out of Nigeria,” he concluded.
He later moved to Germany, signing for Mainz 05 before leaving for a first division side, Cologn on loan. His loan became a permanent deal, and gis goals helped FC Cologn gained promotion to the Bundesliga.
Anthony Ujah further progressed to Weder Bremen on a four-year contract after which he joined Chinese club Liaoning Whowin.
