EKPAI JOINS VIKTORIA PLZEN
Ubong Ekpai has completed a move to Czech champions Viktoria Plzen from Zlin.
The 21-year-old winger has signed a three-year contract with the west Bohemia side.
Ekpai first arrived the Czech Republic in 2016, signing for Slovan Liberec, where he scored four league goals in 16 games and provided two assists.
He moved to Zlín after just a season in Pojdeště. The Nigerian impressed in Zlin colours, bagging seven goals and four assists in 28 league appearances.
While at Liberec and Zlin, Ekpai featured in the Europa League. The move to Plzen, however, presents the former Kano Pillars man Champions League football — something he’s looking forward to.
“Plzen is the best Czech club in my opinion. They play as a family, as a team. I like that and I think this is a good choice for me,” he said immediately after penning the deal.
“Joining Viktoria [Plzen] is a big challenge for me. I will have the opportunity to play the Champions League for the first time, moving to the best team. I believe in both ourselves and the team that we have it,” he added.
Ekpai said he’d like to face European champions, Real Madrid.
“In the Champions League, I wish to meet Real Madrid. “I want to defeat them, and I wish Cristano Ronaldo plays. Then we could tell him we beat him, “the Nigerian midfielder said with a smile.
The Plzen management expressed their excitement at capturing the forward.
“Ubong Ekpai is a speedy football player, and pace is extremely important in today’s football. He also has experience with European cups. We are therefore glad to welcome him to Viktoria. I wish him to be successful in our jersey,” said general manager of the club, Adolf Šadek.
The 21-year-old winger has signed a three-year contract with the west Bohemia side.
Ekpai first arrived the Czech Republic in 2016, signing for Slovan Liberec, where he scored four league goals in 16 games and provided two assists.
He moved to Zlín after just a season in Pojdeště. The Nigerian impressed in Zlin colours, bagging seven goals and four assists in 28 league appearances.
While at Liberec and Zlin, Ekpai featured in the Europa League. The move to Plzen, however, presents the former Kano Pillars man Champions League football — something he’s looking forward to.
“Plzen is the best Czech club in my opinion. They play as a family, as a team. I like that and I think this is a good choice for me,” he said immediately after penning the deal.
“Joining Viktoria [Plzen] is a big challenge for me. I will have the opportunity to play the Champions League for the first time, moving to the best team. I believe in both ourselves and the team that we have it,” he added.
Ekpai said he’d like to face European champions, Real Madrid.
“In the Champions League, I wish to meet Real Madrid. “I want to defeat them, and I wish Cristano Ronaldo plays. Then we could tell him we beat him, “the Nigerian midfielder said with a smile.
The Plzen management expressed their excitement at capturing the forward.
“Ubong Ekpai is a speedy football player, and pace is extremely important in today’s football. He also has experience with European cups. We are therefore glad to welcome him to Viktoria. I wish him to be successful in our jersey,” said general manager of the club, Adolf Šadek.