Nigeria International Brown Ideye has expressed excitement on his return to football after a one-year absence from the beautiful game.

The 2013 AFCON winner recently joined Greek side Aris on a season-long deal after falling out of favour at Chinese Super League club, Tianjin Teda.

The 30-year-old last played for Malaga on loan in the 2017/2018 season as the Spanish side were relegated from the La Liga.

“It really feels amazing because no one will like to stay that long away from football,” Ideye said.

“So, coming back and being active once again is really good. And for me, it’s one of the things that I’ve been dreaming of doing.

“Aris gave me the chance to come back and continue my career.”

The former West Brom and Dynamo Kyiv goal poacher, who has netted 6 times for Nigeria’s Super Eagles in 28 appearances, admitted he missed playing football.

“For sure, I missed playing football,” Ideye, who has already featured twice for his new side in the Europa League qualifiers, added. “No player wants to stay away from football for that long, especially when you know you are fit, when you know you are not injured.

“So, yes, I missed playing football and I am happy to be back,” the former Olympiacos forward admitted.