The young shot-stopper’s excellent performances in the Netherlands have reportedly attracted the attentions Ajax Amsterdam and a few English Premier League clubs, but one club still towers above others in the Nigerian’s heart
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has confessed that he holds a special affection for German lower division side Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Okoye’s career is on the upward trajectory following a string of eye-catching displays for Sparta Rotterdam. Still, the youngster insists he would not hesitate to make a return to Fortuna should the opportunity presents itself.
Born in Dusseldorf, Germany, Okoye grew up dreaming of one day featuring for his hometown club. It was going according to plan when the young gloveman left Bayer Leverkusen’s youth team to join Fortuna Düsseldorf II in the summer of 2017.
His talent was hard to hide, and he quickly became the Regionalliga West side’s first-choice goalkeeper, and there were plans in place to hand him a long-term contract.
But Uwe Klein replaced Lutz Pfannenstiel at Fortuna, and the new Sports Director was not keen on keeping Okoye at the club.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper eventually departed for the Netherlands in 2019 to join Sparta Rotterdam, and it has been nothing short of a successful move.
Rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the Eredivisie and established as the Super Eagles’ number one shot-stopper, the sky seems to be the starting point for the 21-year-old.
Still, it is hard for Okoye to forget Fortuna Dusseldorf, and he admits he has unfinished business with the German club.
“Düsseldorf is my home, Fortuna is my heart club,” Okoye says, as per Fupa.
“If I ever have the opportunity to return to Fortuna, I wouldn’t have to think twice. The heart would decide – and of course for Fortuna.”
Okoye has been in goal 23 times for Rotterdam this season, helping the Spartans to 11th on the Dutch league table.
