West Bromwich Albion continues to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Championship season, landing their second summer signing, Josh Maja, in an exciting deal. The 24-year-old striker has an impressive track record with former clubs Sunderland, Fulham, and Stoke City, and most recently, Bordeaux in the French second-tier league, Ligue 2.
After parting ways with Bordeaux, Maja found himself in high demand, and it was West Brom who emerged victorious in securing his signature. The London-born forward has inked a three-year contract with the Baggies, becoming a free agent just four days before the start of the new season. This acquisition follows last week’s successful loan move for the talented Brighton winger, Jeremy Sarmiento.
West Brom’s head of football operations, Ian Pearce, expressed his satisfaction with the signing, stating, “The club has been tracking Josh for some time. We have again had to be patient, but Josh is the striker we wanted.” The Baggies’ strategy of patience paid off, as they thwarted Luton Town’s attempt to secure keeper Alex Palmer by rejecting their bid.
Having been instrumental in Bordeaux’s impressive Ligue 2 campaign last season, Maja’s goal-scoring prowess was evident with a remarkable tally of 16 goals and six assists. This eye-catching performance helped Bordeaux secure a commendable third-place finish in the league. The Championship can now look forward to witnessing Maja’s goal-scoring talent as he joins West Brom for the upcoming season.
Carlos Corberan, Albion’s head coach, expressed his satisfaction with the new signing and the club’s commitment to strengthening their attacking force. “It was an important aim of ours to reinforce this position during the summer,” he stated. “Josh has international and Premier League experience. His skills complement Brandon Thomas-Asante in a way which means they can play together or on their own. He drops deep to build attacks and also has good instincts in the box.”
Maja’s versatility and ability to create opportunities for his teammates make him a valuable asset to West Brom’s attacking setup. Moreover, his desire to work under the guidance of Carlos Corberan proved pivotal in tipping the scales in favor of the Baggies over other interested clubs.
The young Nigerian striker started his career at Sunderland before venturing to Bordeaux in January 2019. Since then, Maja has made brief returns to England on loan, representing Fulham in 2021 and Stoke City in 2022. His stint at Bordeaux was successful, and despite receiving an offer for a new contract, Maja chose to explore new opportunities.
On the international front, Maja earned his solitary cap for Nigeria during a friendly against Ukraine in September 2019. His performance in that match showcased his immense potential on the global stage, further solidifying his status as a highly sought-after striker.
West Bromwich Albion, who finished ninth in the Championship last season, is eager to make a strong start to the new campaign. However, they will have to cope without their first-choice target man, Daryl Dike, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in April, sidelining him for up to nine months. Maja’s arrival will undoubtedly alleviate the loss of Dike and bolster West Brom’s attacking prowess significantly.
West Brom’s acquisition of Josh Maja represents a major coup for the club. His impressive goal-scoring record, international experience, and proven ability to make an impact on the pitch make him an exciting prospect for the Baggies. As the new season commences, all eyes will be on Maja to lead West Bromwich Albion to new heights with his lethal finishing and attacking prowess.