Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper joins Wrexham on a permanent deal

Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper, Arthur Chukwuezugo Okonkwo, has joined Wrexham on a free transfer after his contract with Wrexham expired, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper initially signed for the Red Dragons on loan from Arsenal last summer for their League Two campaign, helping them gain promotion to the EFL League One.

Okonkwo made 40 appearances for the club, 36 of which came in the league, keeping 14 clean sheets, and saving a penalty to guide Phil Parkinson’s team to another tier in English football.

“I’m feeling very good, I’m so happy to have finally signed and I can’t wait to get back to it. It was amazing last season. We had so many good memories together with the fans, and knowing they wanted me back was a big reason that I’m back. It’s good to finally be here. This is home, it’s felt like that since last season when I came in. The co-chairmen are so good, the manager, the coaches, the players, and obviously the backroom staff that you don’t see. It’s so good to be here,” Okonkwo told Wrexham’s official website after putting pen to paper with the club.

Okonkwo had loan spells with Crewe Alex and Sturm Graz during his time with Arsenal, before moving to Wrexham at the start of the just-concluded season. He was named in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Season.

“We’re delighted with the signing. It’s such an important one for us. Arthur was outstanding for us last year, and since the season finished we’ve worked hard to secure the signing. It’s great credit to all the work that has gone on behind the scenes because it’s never straightforward but we’ve always said it’s important to have perseverance to try and get your number one target – and Arthur certainly was that,” Wrexham’s coach added.

Okonkwo opted to switch his nationality to Nigeria after he was approached by the then Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, but he’s yet to be called up to the National team.