By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian international, Victor Boniface, has finally emerged as the Rookie player of the season in Bundesliga, Germany.
This was disclosed by apex league organisers in the country via a statement on its website.
Rookie Best Confirmation
Part of the statement reads, “The Bundesliga has been honouring the best young players in the league in 2023/24 with the Rookie of the Month Award, in association with Sorare and with four monthly wins to his name this term, it’s not surprising to see Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface voted the overall winner in what has been an incredible campaign.
“The Rookie of the Month for August, September, October and November – Boniface really hit the ground running after his summer move to Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. The striker scored seven goals and provided five assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances during his Rookie of the Month reign, and also made his senior debut for Nigeria in September. He kept going in December with a further three strikes and two more provisions in four league outings.
“Boniface’s superb start to life in Germany then hit a major stumbling block after he picked up a muscle injury in January that sidelined him until April, meaning he also missed the Africa Cup of Nations. But the 23-year-old returned in expected fashion, scoring a goal and setting up another on his comeback.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Becomes PGA Graduate In UK, Vows Robust Sporting Impact
“His contributions in front of goal have been a major factor in Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga for the first time and also pushing for a treble with the addition of the DFB Cup and UEFA Europa League. And next season the Werkself will be able to unleash Boniface on opponents in the UEFA Champions League.”
The Nigerian striker beat Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen, who has been impressive for Borussia Dortmund since joining in January, RB Leipzig Xavi Simons, also on loan from PSG and Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier.
Boniface Season Exploits
He has scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 22 games for Bayer Leverkusen.
He was out for almost four months with an injury, which also saw him miss the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria.
He has 20 goals and 10 assists in 32 games across all competitions this season.
Leverkusen Of Unbeaten Records
With the league officially ending on Saturday, they could set an unprecedented record of winning the league with an unbeaten record of 34 matches.
Currently, they have set a European record of 50 games unbeaten and could win a treble with the Europa League final coming up next Wednesday against Atalanta in Dublin as well as the DFB Pokal final against FC Kaiserslautern on May 25, 2024.
