'Very proud I can play in the EPL' - Nigeria's costliest GK in history reacts to Watford move

Published: November 09, 2021

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has spoken of his delight at agreeing terms with Premier League club Watford ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Okoye will be joining the Hornets on a five-and-a-half-year deal, until June 2027, with effect from the January transfer window, but will be spending the rest of this season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam.

Watford and Sparta Rotterdam have not revealed the transfer fee but reports in the Netherlands including Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad claim that the Nigeria international is moving to the Hornets in exchange for seven million euros, making him the most expensive Nigerian goalkeeper in history.

Okoye is hoping to follow in the footsteps of retired Wolverhampton Wanderers star Carl Ikeme by becoming the second Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper to feature in the English Premier League.

"After the game against Willem II, I prepared myself for the international matches in Nigeria, but in the meantime I went to England to meet Watford," Okoye told Sparta's official website.

"That went very quickly because I had to join the national team a day later. Of course I am very proud that I can play in the Premier League, but also that I can play at Het Kasteel for our fans until the end of the season.

"Of course I really wanted this, but I also want to close it well with Sparta and that is why this is the best choice."

Okoye has made big strides in his career over the last two years, the 22-year-old was playing in the German Regionalliga West, equivalent of fourth-tier, with Fortuna Düsseldorf II in 2020.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : watfordfc.com

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