Deadline Day: Super Eagles star is back in England six months after leaving

The winter transfer window is finally shut, but some deals that were still concluded just before the deadline day passed

Super Eagles striker Josh Maja has sealed a move back to England after joining Skybet Championship side Stoke City on a loan deal till the end of the season.

Stoke confirmed the signing of Maja in a statement released on their website, although it is subject to international clearance.

Welcome to Stoke City, @joshmaja 👋#SCFC 🔴⚪️

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 31, 2022

The move to Bet365 Stadium marks a return to England for Maja six months after leaving Fulham. Maja joined Fulham in a similar deal from Bordeaux last season, but he could not save the Cottagers from Premier League relegation despite scoring three goals.

Maja will hope the move helps him kickstart his season after a difficult first half of the season in France. The one-cap Nigerian international has struggled since he joined Les Girondins from Sunderland three years ago.

He has only played 45 minutes of football this season, which spreads across three substitute appearances. The youngster will now hope he can enjoy regular playing time in the second half of the season.

Maja’s mission will be to help Stoke get into the playoff spot, with the Potters currently six points adrift of sixth-placed Middlesbrough.