ENGLAND and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has sung the praises of Muhamed Tijani as the former Flying Eagles of Nigeria striker completed his move to Plymouth Argyle.
Tijani put pen to paper on a loan deal from Czech Republic top flight club Slavia Prague to Plymouth Argyle today.
Rooney, who captained both England and Manchester United during his illustrious playing career, is the head coach of English second-tier club Plymouth Argyle, having been appointed last month.
“Argyle have signed Muhamed Tijani until the end of the season,” the club confirmed today.
“Tijani, who turns 24 later this month, joins Argyle on loan from Slavia Prague, who were runners-up in the Czech top division last season. The deal comes with an option for Argyle to buy the player at the end of his loan spell.
“The Nigerian former under-20 international moved to Czechia aged 18, to join the youth system of another of the country’s leading sides, Banik Ostrava.
“Muhamed had loan spells with Třinec, Karvina and Taborsko, the latter of whom he scored 13 goals in 33 games for in the 2021/22 season, in the Czech second tier.
“Tijani broke into the Ostrava first team in 2022/23, playing 25 times as they finished 11th in the top flight.
“He moved to Slavia Prague for approximately £1m in the summer of 2023, and played 19 times, scoring four goals. Two of those goals came in the UEFA Europa League, one a last-ditch winner away to FC Sheriff.”
Rooney, a world-class striker in his heyday who has held scoring records for England and Manchester United, said he was pleased to have Tijani in his squad as he listed the Nigerian’s qualities.
“Muhamed joining further strengthens our forward line and he will bring different attributes to the squad,” Rooney told the Plymouth website.
“He is big, athletic and can run in behind, but is equally as good at holding the ball up and bringing other players into play.
“He has played and scored in the Europa League so comes with good pedigree but is also young and keen to improve. We are really looking forward to working with him.”
Plymouth Director of Football Neil Dewsnip added that Rooney was one of the major factors that drew Tijani to the club.
He said: “We are really pleased that we have managed to bring Muhamed to the club.
“He was highly coveted, with several Europa League clubs keen to secure his signature, but Muhamed really bought into the project here at Argyle and was desperate to play for Wayne.
“He brings a different profile to our forward line and still has so much potential for growth, which we are really excited about.
“It is great to get another signing done before pre-season begins and we are all looking forward to getting started.”
