November 08, (THEWILL) – Watford FC has announced that it has agreed to recruit highly-rated Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to a five-and-a-half-year contract that will commence on January 1, 2022.
The Nigerian international will be joining the Hornets for an undisclosed amount from Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam where he will remain on loan until the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.
Okoye, a regular starter for the Dutch club, has started every game so far this season, while he has made 13 appearances for his country since making his debut in a 1-1 draw with Brazil in 2019.
The 22-year-old, who was born in Germany to a Nigerian father and a German mother, spent his youth career with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen, and Fortuna Düsseldorf before joining Sparta Rotterdam in the summer of 2020.
Last season, he was named Sparta’s Player of the Season after a streak of outstanding performances that helped his team finish seventh in the league.
The 6ft 6in shot-stopper has been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs because of his regular performances for both club and country, but he has now signed a long-term contract with the Golden Boys.
Okoye joins the English Premier League side under the managerial chops of new boss Claudio Ranieri as the fourth Nigerian on their roster. The club already boasts the presence of defender William Troost-Ekong, midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and forward Emmanuel Dennis.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
