Uzoho handed number one jersey at Elche after completing medical as Rohr eyes Arsenal youth goalie Okonkwo

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has been installed as the first choice goalkeeper of Spanish second division side Elche after passing a medical with the team following his season-long loan switch from Deportivo la Coruna.

Uzoho, 19, left Deportivo La Coruna after the club opted to keep him as third choice goalkeeper despite his status as Nigeria’s number one at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Following this development, Elche, who like Deportivo got relegated from la Liga last season, opted to sign Uzoho.

Following the signing of the deal, Uzoho successfully underwent medicals with the club and Elche has promised him that he will be first choice goalkeeper. Last season, Uzoho manned goal in two games in the La Liga for Deportivo before he was relegated to the B team in the third division following the sacking of coach Pepe Mel.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is looking to strengthen Nigeria's options in the goalkeeping department by luring16 year old Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to the U-20 team. British-born Okonkwo is currently an England U17 goalkeeper by Mr Rohr is hoping to convince him to switch his allegiance and opt to play for Nigeria at the senior level.

Okonkwo is among the players pencilled down for talks as the Nigerian team who are already through to the African Youth Championship are looking for more options in the goalkeeping area of the team. Seen as a player with a bright future, Okonkwo, who is 6ft 5in tall like Uzoho, is seen as one of Arsenal’s most promising youngsters with a genuine chance of making the first team.

Okonkwo is keen to stay at Arsenal but the club’s purge on contracts means they stand to lose him as he can walk away as a free agent in the summer. Arsenal have offered him a scholarship with a professional contract to follow when he turns 17 in September but no agreement has been reached yet for the player who is regarded as a possible future England goalkeeper.