'This is not a joke' – Victor Boniface reveals he played league matches in Europe without a contract

Victor Boniface has shared the astonishing story of how he played in professional league matches in Europe without having signed a contract, all in a bid to prove himself during a trial.

Boniface had a brief spell at Northern Cyprus KTFF Süper Lig outfit Lefke T.S.K. back in 2018, on loan from Nigerian grassroots club Real Sapphire, before signing his first professional contract with Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker recounted his eye-opening first experience abroad, which took him to Northern Cyprus, a region not recognised by Fifa.

The Cyprus Turkish Football Association (CTFA) serves as the governing body of football in Northern Cyprus, and is responsible for organising and overseeing the top four tiers of domestic football. 

"My first time travelling abroad, I went to Northern Cyprus. The story is long because when I got there, I found out they’re not under Fifa, they operate independently," Boniface said on The Culture League podcast.

Despite being on trial and officially unsigned, Boniface found himself thrown straight into competitive league action.

"I was on trial, I hadn’t signed yet, but I was already playing in league matches. 

"Before I went, my agent told me I had to take a corner kick and then go and head it in myself — this is not a joke!"

The Nigerian international revealed the pressure he was under to stand out, knowing he was in direct competition with another African player for a contract.

"We were two players — one guy from Senegal and me. They needed to sign only one. As a Nigerian, I knew I had to do extra."

From humble beginnings, Victor Boniface has risen to become a household name in European football. 

The Nigeria international was one of the standout performers during Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023–2024 campaign, playing a key role as the German side clinched a historic domestic double and reached the final of the Europa League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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