Josh Wonder! Forgotten Super Eagles star Maja bags hattrick for WBA in EFL opener

Nigeria international Josh Maja stole the show in West Bromwich Albion's season opener, inspiring a remarkable comeback victory against Queens Park Rangers, QPR.

The 25-year-old forward, who joined the Baggies from the now-defunct Bordeaux, put on a masterclass, netting a goal in the first half and an impressive brace in the second to secure a 3-1 away win.

Maja's heroics ensured that West Brom ended their pre-season woes, snapping a run of consecutive defeats and getting their 2024/2025 campaign off to the best possible start.

The Super Eagles star has now made a triumphant return to English football after penning a three-year deal with the Baggies for a reported fee of around €5.00m.

Maja’s return saw him struggle for game time with just 12 matches across competitions for his new team after he scored 17 goals and provided 6 assists in all matches the previous season for his ex-side who are now bankrupt.

However, this is not the first time the Nigerian striker has graced the English game, having previously played for Sunderland before switching to Bordeaux in January 2019. 

He also had a loan spell with Fulham in the Premier League during his time in France.

But his latest outing has set pulses racing, as Maja's stunning performance in the season opener has firmly established him as a key player in West Brom's push for promotion to the Premier League.