Wrexham’s Okonkwo set for Nigeria debut after FIFA clears switch

Femi Fabunmi

Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has decided to represent Nigeria at the international level after switching his allegiance from England.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was born in London to Nigerian parents. Earlier in his career, he played for England at youth level, featuring for the under-15, under-16, under-17, and under-18 teams.

However, he has now chosen to commit his future to Nigeria, the country of his heritage.

FIFA officially approved his request to change his international association on April 6.

This approval makes him eligible to play for Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, in future competitions, including qualifiers and major tournaments.

Okonkwo began his football journey at Arsenal’s academy, where he developed his skills as a goalkeeper.

Although he did not make a senior appearance for the club, he gained valuable experience through loan spells at Crewe Alexandra in England and Sturm Graz in Austria.

In 2023, he joined Wrexham on loan, where he quickly impressed with his performances. Due to his consistency and strong presence in goal, the club later made his move permanent. Since then, he has grown into a key player for the team.

Okonkwo has made 119 appearances for Wrexham so far and has been an important part of their recent success, including helping the team achieve back-to-back promotions.

His performances have earned him recognition as one of the standout goalkeepers at the club.

In the current season, he has featured in 42 matches across all competitions. In the Championship, he has kept 10 clean sheets in 37 games, showing his reliability and ability to perform at a high level.

His decision to switch to Nigeria is seen as a big boost for the Super Eagles, as they continue to strengthen their squad with talented players of Nigerian descent playing in Europe.

Okonkwo is expected to compete for a place in the national team and could play a role in Nigeria’s future international campaigns.