Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye becomes the latest Nigerian to sign up for Watford

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is to become the next Nigerian international to feature in the English Premier League after Watford announced that it has reached an agreement with his Dutch club to purchase him during the January transfer window.

Over the last year, Okoye, 22, has established himself as Nigeria's number one after scintillating performances for his Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam. Now, his career is set to move a notch higher after English Premier League side Watford announced that the goalkeeper will be joining their ranks as from January 1, 2022.

Apparently, Sparta Rotterdam will receive €7m for Okoye, which will make the Nigerian shot-stopper the most expensive sale in the history of the club. Before Okoye’s move, the most expensive player sale in Sparta’s history was completed in 2008 when Marvin Emnes departed for Middlesbrough for €4m.

As part of the agreement between Watford and Sparta Rotterdam, However, Okoye will be spending the remainder of this season on loan at the Eredivisie club, meaning we will not be seeing him in England until next season. Okoye is credited with 43 appearances for Sparta Rotterdam, posting 12 shutouts while conceding 57 goals.

Duri9ng his brief career, Okoye has had stints with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf before moving to Sparta Rotterdam in the summer of 2020. Fellow Nigeria internationals Oghenekaro Etebo, Emmanuel Dennis and William Troost-Ekong, plus Nigeria U23 international Tom Dele-Bashiru, Joseph Hungbo and Dapo Mebude are currently on the books of Watford, so Okoye will be in good company when he joins the Hornets.