Written off as a “misfit” for his wastefulness in front of goal for Nigeria, Brown Ideye could still shame his critics with goals in the English Premier League after his big-money move to West Bromwich Albion.
West Brom are believed to have splashed a club record fee of about 10 million pounds to sign the 25-year-old striker and make him the biggest summer transfer involving a Nigeria player thus far.
“It’s a great move for Ideye and I know he will make it big in England,” hailed fellow Nigeria international defender Elderson Echiejile, who first played alongside him at the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada.
The former Ocean Boys striker is strong, fast, skilful and packs a decent shot.
He has also proved himself as a goal scorer in Switzerland, France and Ukraine as well as garnered international experience by playing in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
He could be likened to another Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who for several seasons was a double-digit striker in the English Premier League.
The one big difference between ‘The Yak’ and Ideye is that the new WBA signing is a lot faster and so the high-tempo football played in the English Premier League would most suit him.
What has been very obvious about the striker is that he has struggled to translate his club form to the Super Eagles, where he plays behind target man Emmanuel Emenike.
He has endured a wretched form for Nigeria, scoring only five goals in 23 matches since he was first capped in 2010.
He missed the final cut to the World Cup in Brazil and in his absence Emenike failed to shine as he had done so brightly last year at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, where he was crowned top scorer.
Ideye takes the pressure and attention away from Emenike and his hard running has often set up goals for the Fenerbache striker.
It is his lack of composure inside the box when on Nigeria duty that has got the critics on his back.
He has, on the other hand, been a lot more prolific at his various European clubs – 23 goals in 55 appearances for Swiss side Neuchatel Xamaz, 17 goals in 52 matches for Sochaux in the French Ligue 1 and 33 goals in 74 games for Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine.
At West Bromwich he will lead the attack and he will be expected to enjoy top quality service from midfield by the enterprising Benin skipper Stephane Sessegnon.
And if he could now keep his cool when inside the “cash box”, he could also make his mark in the exciting EPL, like compatriots Osaze Odemwingie and Yakubu have done.