Boniface wins Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award

By Rasaq Oboirien

Super Eagles ace, Victor Boniface has been crowned German Bundesliga Rookie of the Season.

The Nigerian beat the trio of Xavi (RB Leipzig), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund) and TSG Hoffenheim Maximillian Beier to the award.

The award organisers revealed yesterday on the X app, “Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface takes home the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award from Sorare after making an instant impact to the Bundesliga — in which he won 4 Rookie of the Month trophies in a row.”

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 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. 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.