Nigeria have signed Arthur Okonkwo from England's Arsenal, which means the goalkeeper can now play for the Tremendous Eagles following approval from the Federation of Worldwide Soccer Affiliation (FIFA).
Born in the UK, Okonkwo represented England at under-16 and under-17 stage earlier than making his debut for the European under-18 workforce two days earlier than his birthday.
The 22-year-old, who’s at present on mortgage at Wrexham, has however remained eligible to play his worldwide soccer for Nigeria on account of his heritage.
Okonkwo, who final performed for the England under-18 workforce in 2019, has determined to play for Nigeria after ready for a call-up to the senior workforce referred to as the Three Lions with nobody coming his manner. to play.
And in keeping with a number of experiences, FIFA has now formally accepted his utility to alter his nationality from England to Nigeria.
The goalkeeper is now most actually eligible to symbolize Nigeria's Tremendous Eagles, which means there will probably be extra competitors for the likes of Stanley Nwabali and Francis Uzoho.
Okonkwo, in the meantime, has beforehand stated that former Chelsea shotstopper, Petr Cech and Manchester United legend David De Gea have all the time influenced his goalkeeping fashion.
“I attempted to play off the sphere, but it surely wasn't for me. I loved the fun of constructing saves and the extra spectacular the higher,” Okonkwo stated of his determination to develop into a goalkeeper.
Okonkwo, who has a youthful brother referred to as Brian who additionally performs as a goalkeeper in Arsenal's academy, has stored 11 clear sheets in 26 video games in all competitions for Wrexham thus far this season.
