Nigerian international and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has joined English Premiership side, Watford, on a five-and-a-half-year deal, Investogist can confirm.
This was disclosed on Monday by both Club and player as the latter expressed delight to have moved over to arguably the best league in the world.
He has, ipso fact, become the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play in the English Premier League.
He joins the Hornets from Eredivisie side, Sparta Rotterdam, where he has played since the summer of 2020.
The contract commences on January 1, 2022 but he will be loaned back to Sparta till the end of the current season.
Announcing the deal officially on their website, Watford said, “Watford FC is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement to sign highly-rated young goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, on a five-and-a-half-year deal that will begin on January 1, 2022.
“The Nigeria international joins the Hornets for an undisclosed fee from Eredivisie outfit Sparta Rotterdam, to where he will return on loan until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
“A regular starter for the Dutch club, Okoye has lined up between the sticks in each of their games so far this season, while he has made 13 appearances for his country since debuting in a 1-1 draw with Brazil in 2019.”
“The 6ft 6in shot-stopper’s consistent displays for both club and country have seen him linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but he has now put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Golden Boys.
“Welcome to Watford, Maduka!”
A delighted Okoye took to his Instagram page to show his happiness of moving to the EPL.
“I’m overwhelmed to sign for Watford, to play in the Premier League is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little boy.
“I can’t wait to get started with the team upcoming season 2022/2023!
“I wish the Club all the best for the rest of the season,” he concluded.
Maduka will be the fourth Nigerian export to Watford following “…William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis.”
Delineating his career path, the new club posted, “…the 22-year-old played in the youth ranks at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf before moving to Sparta Rotterdam in the summer of 2020. He won Sparta’s Player of the Season award last term for a string of stellar performances, helping his side claim an eighth-place finish in the league.”
Maduka Okoye is in the Super Eagles’ squad for the upcoming, highly crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Liberia and Cape Verde.
Azuka Edokobi is a Writer , a Farmer, a Supply Chain Expert and an Entrepreneur
