The Super Eagles star earlier piqued the interest of some clubs like Rangers and FC Liorent who were looking to secure his services
Super Eagles striker, Josh Maja, has shed light on his decision to join English Championship club West Bromwich Albion despite attracting interest from other clubs like Rangers FC and FC Lorient, Soccernet.ng reports.
Reflecting on his time in France, Maja described the experience as fun but felt the need for a fresh start after spending four-and-a-half years away from the United Kingdom.
The one-capped Super Eagles’ sharpshooter, had become a sought-after talent, with clubs like Rangers FC and FC Lorient earlier vying for his signature.
But in the buzzing world of football transfers, it was the allure of West Bromwich Albion that won the Nigerian international over.
Maja, taking a moment to reflect on his journey, shared his thoughts on his time in France, where he had plied his trade.
“It was certainly a fun experience playing in France,” he said. “It’s completely different to the United Kingdom in terms of style and tempo, but I feel like I learnt a lot.”
Recalling last year, Maja admitted, “Last year was probably the best year of my career in terms of consistency, goals, and game time, so yeah, I would say it was a great experience overall.”
However, as the days turned into months, the sensation of nostalgia began to creep in. “I felt like I needed a fresh start just because I had been away from the United Kingdom for a while,” he revealed, the longing for home. “I spent four-and-a-half years in France.”
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 1, 2023
Amidst the clamour of suitors, Maja found himself captivated by West Brom’s vision and the sincerity of their ambitions.
“We knew Albion were one of the clubs interested in me and our ambitions seemed to match quite well,” he added.
With curiosity and admiration for West Brom’s head coach, Carlos Corberán, Maja spoke of their encounter, “The conversation I had with Carlos Corberán was short. I’ve only spoken to him once, but that’s probably all I needed.”
He continued with enthusiasm, “I got a really good energy from him. He’s a serious coach with intense ideas and an intense mentality which is something that matches up with me and my values.”
Maja with anticipation, talked about his hopes and expectations and how he is eager to learn from the seasoned coach and make his mark on the field.
OFFICIAL
One-cap Super Eagles forward, Josh Maja, joins West Brom on a three-year contract deal.
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— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) August 1, 2023
“He’s a football head, which I am as well,” he explained, “I’m hoping to learn a lot from him and to perform well, I’ve heard a lot of great things from teammates from the past who have said good things about him.”
Maja’s passion for embarking on this new journey with West Bromwich Albion was ultimately evident. His choice was influenced by a common love of the game, a shared set of objectives, and a potential working relationship with Corberán.
