Ex-Super Eagles striker opens up on his failed West Ham United move

Former Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion striker Brown Ideye has opened up on how he nearly signed for West Ham United, Afrik Foot reports.

The 37-year-old was already banging in goals with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, scoring 45 goals in 107 games for the Bilo-Syni.

The following year, Ideye made his dream move to the English Premier League, penning a three-year deal with the Baggies after becoming the club’s record signing at £10 million.

Super Eagles: Why Ideye didn’t join West Ham

In a recent appearance on the Playzone podcast, the AFCON 2013 winner revealed he had offers from Sunderland and West Ham, who went on to sign his Nigerian teammate, Emmanuel Emenike.

While the offers were tempting to decline, Ideye revealed that the presence of other African players in the West Brom team changed his inclinations regarding his choice.

“Before I signed for West Brom, I had four clubs [who wanted me], but I chose West Brom,” Ideye said.

“What are the other clubs? I had Alaves in Spain. I had West Ham. I had a West Ham contract, everything was sent to my agent, it was just for me to sign.

“I had Sunderland and West Brom. So I had four. I picked West Brom.

“My Nigerian agent had the West Ham deal, and another agent from the UK came with the West Brom deal.

“The West Ham deal was not given any green light, and I felt like the West Brom deal was ready to go; ‘Come and sign and you’re on.’ So I went with the one that was sure.

“But [my Nigerian agent] felt like I betrayed him because I went with another agent, and he became really upset and started saying all types of things. I said, ‘Look, since it’s going to be this way, I would not want to fight with you. Let’s just call it quits.”

Ideye announced his retirement from football last summer, pulling the plug on a football career that spanned 18 years.