Anthony Ujah

Ujah grew up in the little town of Ugbokolo in Nigeria's Benue State.^[2]

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]

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]

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]

In June 2011, Ujah signed for 1. FSV Mainz 05, after being tracked by several clubs, most notably Danish outfits F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF.^[13][14] 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.^[15] 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.^{[15][16][17][18]}

On the last day of the summer 2012 transfer window, Ujah signed for 1. FC Köln on a season-long loan.^[19] He scored 13 goals in the 2012–13 2. Bundesliga and the transfer was made permanent at the end of the season.^[18][20]

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.^[18][20] 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.^[21]

Ujah later described his spell at Köln as the best time in his career.^[22]

On 5 May 2015, SV Werder Bremen announced that they had triggered Ujah's release clause and he would join the club for the 2015–16 season.^[23][24] On 24 October, Ujah scored a brace against his former club Mainz as Werder earned a 3–1 away win following five successive defeats.^[25] 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.^[26] It was his first goal in a home match at the Weserstadion.^[27]

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.^[28][29] Two days later, the move was finalised with Ujah signing a three-year contract.^[30] On 8 July 2016, Ujah scored on his debut for Liaoning in a 2–1 win over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright.^[31]

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.^[32] 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.^[15][18]

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.^[33] Ujah contributed three goals in his first season for Union, but spent a long time out injured and was released in summer 2022.^[34]

On 2 August 2022, Ujah signed with Eintracht Braunschweig on a one-year contract, with an optional extra year.^[35] 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.^[36]

On 19 June 2024, Ujah moved to Bulgaria, signing a deal with Botev Plovdiv.^[37]

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.^[38]

As of match played 2 August 2022^[27][39][12]

• Anthony Ujah at National-Football-Teams.com
• Anthony Ujah at Soccerway