Anthony Ujah hangs up boots after globe-trotting football journey

Ujah made the announcement on Instagram on Friday, thanking his family, coaches, and teammates for their unwavering support.

"Today, I make the toughest decision of my life, retiring from professional football. Football has been more than a game for me; it has been my passion, my identity, my home," the striker wrote on social media.

The forward began his career in Nigeria with Abuja FC and Warri Wolves before moving to Europe in 2010.

He enjoyed successful stints in Norway with Lillestrom SK, Germany with Mainz 05, 1. FC Koln, Werder Bremen, Union Berlin, and Eintracht Braunschweig, and in China with Liaoning Whowin.

His final stop was Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria, which he joined in June 2024, though a serious knee injury curtailed his playing time.

Over his career, Ujah scored 113 goals in more than 350 appearances, leaving a mark wherever he played. He is particularly remembered for helping 1. FC Koln earn promotion to the Bundesliga in 2014. On the international stage, he earned seven caps for the Super Eagles between 2013 and 2015.

Fans and former teammates have already expressed admiration for Ujah, celebrating his contributions on the pitch and wishing him well in the next chapter of his life. As he steps professionalism.