Super Eagles Goalkeeper Joins Dutch Club

The young goalkeeper make the much-anticipated switch on a free transfer after three years at Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf

Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam has confirmed the signing of Nigerian international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye on a two-year deal, with an option for another two more seasons, Soccernet.ng reports.

Confirming the transfer on their official Twitter account, the Dutch side wrote:
“Sparta Rotterdam has strengthened itself, with the exception of the medical examination, with Maduka Okoye. The Nigeria international signs for two seasons, with an option for two more seasons.”

Sparta Rotterdam heeft zich, onder voorbehoud van de medische keuring, versterkt met Maduka Okoye. De Nigeriaans international tekent voor twee seizoenen, met een optie voor nog twee seizoenen.

— Sparta Rotterdam (@SpartaRotterdam) July 13, 2020

Okoye, who was born and raised in the city of Dusseldorf, leaves his hometown club Fortuna Dusseldorf which he joined in 2017. 

The young goalkeeper started his youth career at Bayer Leverkusen before he moved to Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Okoye, however, did not get his chance at Fortuna Dusseldorf this season, with the 20-year-old goalie featuring predominantly for the club's youth team, where he made 14 appearances, conceding 26 goals and keeping two clean sheets in the 2019/20 Regionalliga West season.

But his desire to play regular football for a top side was fuelled when Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr included him in the Nigerian squad that played Ukraine in a friendly in September.

The shot-stopper was then given his chance when he came on for Francis Uzoho in the 1-1 friendly draw with Brazil a month later.

Okoye joins the likes of Dele Adeleye and Sani Kaita among Nigerians to have played for Sparta Rotterdam.