In Focus: Leverkusen are transfer window Victor with Boniface signing

Victor Boniface is the secret weapon who has shot Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga. 

He was signed from Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise this summer and has already notched five goals in four games since his move to Germany, outscoring fellow recent Bundesliga arrival Harry Kane.

Ahead of Leverkusen's top-of-the-table clash with Bayern Munich tonight, we take a look at the Nigerian striker's career journey. 

Fine form

Boniface scored on his Leverkusen debut in the 8-0 DFB-Pokal drubbing of Teutonia Ottensen last month.

He did not find the net on his first Bundesliga match but assisted Jeremie Frimpong's opener in a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig. 

The centre forward then scored twice in the 3-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, before adding another brace and an assist in the 5-1 thrashing of Darmstadt. 

It has been a stunning start for Boniface, who has already been on quite a journey in his short career. 

Starting out at Nigerian club Real Sapphire, he moved to Bodo/Glimt in Norway in 2019. 

Though he helped to win the Eliteserien in both 2020 and 2021, he was not yet prolific in front of goal, scoring 23 times in 66 games. 

Boniface moved to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium last summer, where his Europa League performances caught the eye, netting six times in 10 games.

Alonso verdict

Boniface's boss Xabi Alonso has been delighted with his new signing. 

The 41-year-old Spanish coach said: "He does everything well. Not only with his game, he helps the team. 

"Boniface wants to enjoy the game. But not just for himself. 

"He's not just a classic striker, not just a regular poacher. He's complete. 

"We are happy with him, he has scored four goals so far, but we expect more." 

Rapid rise

Boniface has explained the story behind his path to Leverkusen.

He told Bundesliga.com: "I never doubted myself in Norwegian football.

"I was always 100% focused because this is what I wanted to do. I always wanted to play football so I never doubted that in my life.

"Every young player dreams about playing in the top leagues and the Bundesliga is a top league.

"The most important thing is to keep the team doing what we have been doing. Try to win every game and get a good result."

Tuch of class

Boniface will hope to continue his remarkable rise when he faces the reigning German champions at the Allianz Arena this evening.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is aware of the threat posed by the Bundesliga's August Player of the Month, saying: "Victor Boniface is a completely different type of striker to Harry Kane.

"Boniface is a perfect fit for Leverkusen. His power is impressive.

"We need to cut out Leverkusen’s counter-attacks and stand up to them physically, including Boniface. He's a target man."

Tuchel's defenders will know they are in for a busy night if they are to keep the African star quiet.