Arsenal U-23 goalkeeper set to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria

Okonkwo is a product of the famous Arsenal Hale End Academy and has played for every of the youth ranks, ranging from the U-18 to the U-23 team.

Arsenal U-23 goalkeeper and former England U-18 international, Arthur Okonkwo, has opted to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, rather than don the Three Lions shirt, Soccernet.ng reports.

Okonkwo, born in 2001, has risen through the ranks at Arsenal. He played for the U-18 team at just 15 and has been playing for the U-23 team since he turned 17.

Born in London, the 22-year-old featured for the England U-18 team four times but has not been able to add to his number of appearances for the Three Lions since then.

Having spent the past two years on loan at Crewe Alexandra and Stum Graz, Okonkwo has made fifteen league appearances for Wrexham this season, keeping seven clean sheets, and helping the club to third place on the League table, two points behind the League leaders, Stockport County.

According to Daily Cannon, Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, contacted the Arsenal loanee over the possibility of a nationality switch so as to play for Nigeria, and the report indicated that Okonkwo was open to the move, with former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick also endorsing the 1.98m tall goalkeeper.

In over a season of professional football, spanning across sixty-one games, Arthur Okonkwo has kept twenty-four clean sheets.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Share
Published by
Adefolahan Guerreiro

Recent Posts

Ajax vs Galatasaray: Victor Osimhen scores again, but toothless Lions lose record in Amsterdam

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was on target for Galatasaray, but his goal was not… Read More

5 hours ago

Super Eagles call-up? Nathan Tella breaks silence on Chelle’s selection

Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella has expressed his desire to return to the Nigerian national… Read More

10 hours ago

Can Akpom save Van Nistelrooy’s job? Leicester close in on Super Eagles-eligible striker

Leicester City are edging closer to securing the signing of Super Eagles-eligible striker Chuba Akpom… Read More

12 hours ago

Napoli reject first official bid for Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen amid Arsenal and Man United link

Napoli have turned down an initial €65 million bid from Galatasaray for Victor Osimhen, with… Read More

14 hours ago

Sevilla FC: Nigerian prospect Ola Great receives trial invitation from La Liga club

Nigerian footballer Ola Great has received an official trial invitation from the Spanish La Liga… Read More

15 hours ago

Former Super Eagles midfielder reveals what Nigeria need to win AFCON 2025

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sylvanus Okpala, has revealed what the Nigerian team need to emerge… Read More

20 hours ago