‘I don’t like the Premier League’: Victor Boniface on why he joined Leverkusen

Nigeria forward Victor Boniface has admitted he had several offers from Premier League clubs before opting to sign for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

The Super Eagle signed for Leverkusen in 2023 on a contract until 2028 from Union Berlin, and was assigned the number 22 shirt. He made his Bundesliga debut as a starter on 19 August, in a 3-2 home victory over RB Leipzig.

The following week, he scored his first Bundesliga goals by netting a brace at the Borussia Park in a 3-0 away derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Boniface has now revealed why he turned down a move to England and opted to sign for the German side.

“I don’t really like the Premier League — not like if I have the opportunity to go, I won’t take it,” Victor Boniface said on The Culture League podcast as quoted by Allnigeriasoccer.

“But if I’m going to make that move, it has to be to a certain type of team. Before I agree to a transfer or join a club, I always look at the type of football they play. Will it suit me? Is it a team with too much pressure? Because some players can’t perform well under pressure.”

Boniface further revealed his commitment to Leverkusen: “So before I moved to Leverkusen, I had a great season in Belgium. There were offers from England, good money, but I just didn’t want to join that kind of team.

“If you put me in a possession-based side, I’ll give you everything. I can go to a club and be the standout player, but we might lose a game and everyone points fingers at me. From the grassroots level, that’s how I’ve always played — if I’m on the pitch, I bring everyone along with me.”

Last season in Bundesliga, scored eight goals from 19 matches and provided one assist.