Nigerian forward Brown Ideye has told www.aclsports.com he does not pray that any footballer experiences what he passed through during his one-year hiatus from football.
Ideye officially joined Greek top division side Aris Saloniki on the opening day of this summer’s transfer window, ending 365 days of inactivity after his deal with Chinese side Tianjin TEDA expired at the end of 2018.
On staying out of action for a year, Ideye said: “It’s not really easy. Mentally, physically, it’s not really easy.
“I had to keep my body and soul and mind on the right track because it’s not that I’m injured, it’s not that I have issues with my club (Tianjin) or anything. It was a decision from them so I respect that, it’s not easy.
“I don’t pray for any footballer to pass through what I have faced for the past one year but I have put that behind me now and I’m back in the game.
“I’m focused in the game and I just have to give my best and pick up from where I left,” said the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner.
Upon completing his return to Greece – where he had a productive spell with Olympiakos three years ago – Ideye has started his new club, Aris’ first two competitive games of the season in the Europa League qualifiers.
He speaks about his new team and the reason for his move.
“I know about the team. I know some players in the team already so when I got a call from the club’s President himself, he told me what they needed from me and I explained what I need.
“So he (the President) told me he was going to speak with the coach and he got back to me that the coach agreed that I should come in spite of my lengthy break.
“And when I studied the team from the games they played last season, I saw that I would fit into the team and it’s a team I would really enjoy playing with.
“Yes they don’t have big names like some other big clubs in Greece but they have what I believe is helping the team to move forward which is; fighting spirit and togetherness.
“This is the type of team I want to be. Although the deal is not exactly what I needed but I know I have to get my career back on track and Aris will be a good platform for me to showcase myself and come back to the game.”
Ideye will travel with his new teammates to Norway on Tuesday evening ahead of their next Europa League qualifying game against Molde this Thursday.
