Chidera Ejuke close to Bundesliga move

Chidera Ejuke close to Bundesliga move

Super Eagles forward, Chidera Ejuke, is set for a move to Hertha Berlin on loan,  according to reports in Germany.

The German club have been in search of some attacking reinforcements, with the hope of making a comfortable finish next term and it seems the former Gombe United winger is their man.

As per Bild, Ejuke will be heading to the Olympiastadion Berlin on a season-long loan move, with no option to make the temporary switch permanent at the end of the upcoming campaign.

His imminent switch to the Bundesliga, will see him feature in one of Europe’s top five leagues for the first time in his career. Ejuke left Dutch side Heerenveen for CSKA Moscow in a reported 12 million euros deal back in 2020.

The explosive winger, who has scored five goals and made five assists in the 30 appearances he made for the Moscow side last season, is set to spend the next one year in the Bundesliga.

With former Dinamo Moscow coach, Sandro Schwarz joining Hertha Berlin, he considered the Super Eagles winger as one of his transfer targets. 

Ejuke has made 65 appearances for the Russian capital club, scoring ten goals and providing eight assists. He has a contract valid until 2024.

Russia has not gone according to plan

Ejuke, who has a reputation for his runs and mesmerizing dribbles, had a breakout season with Heerenveen in the 2019-2020 season. He was one of Europe’s most exciting wingers at the time and was touted to be a star in subsequent seasons.

In fact, Ejuke was ranked the third best dribbler in the world by CIES in 2021 after completing over 40 take-ons. The Nigeria international was ranked behind Adama Traore and Nahuel Lujan.

His career has however not taken the lights yet as a move to Russia hasn’t panned out exactly as he would desire.

The 24-year-old was at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year in Cameroon but he played only two games as the Super Eagles of Nigeria were knocked out in the round of 16. He was a shadow of his former self.

On transfermarkt, his market value has dropped from €9m to the current €7.5m. The eight-time Nigeria international will however have a chance to star in a major European league next season in the Bundesliga.

What it means to Hertha Berlin

The Nigerian is an exciting prospect and has generated conversations in Berlin ahead of his proposed move. In Nigeria, observers also see it as a decent move for him to retrace his tracks and get to his best once again.

Hertha finished in the relegation play-off place last season and had to overturn a deficit against Hamburg to preserve their topflight status.

Ejuke will be the first offensive signing for the Berliners after  Jonjoe Kenny (25) and  Filip Uremovic (25) were signed to bolster their defense. More additions are expected to be made in the coming weeks.

This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago

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