Football: Arsenal academy graduate switches allegiance to join Nigeria

by Devesh Jaganath

image Football: Arsenal academy graduate switches allegiance to join Nigeria
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is officially eligible to represent Nigeria after FIFA approved his request to switch allegiance from England. The former Arsenal academy graduate was born in England to Nigerian parents and represented the Three Lions at various youth levels.

Okonkwo to add depth to Super Eagles' goalkeeping department

Arsenal academy graduate Arthur Okonkwo, who currently plays for Wrexham in the EFL Championship, has officially switched allegiance from England to Nigeria following approval from FIFA over the past week. 

Born to Nigerian parents, the 24-year-old shot-stopper is eligible to represent both England and the Super Eagles. He featured for the Three Lions between 2015 and 2018 at the Under-15s to Under-18s level but has not been called up since 2019.

Reports in recent days suggest that Okonkwo made the decision to join Nigeria after meeting with national team head coach Eric Chelle during the Unity Cup last year, where the Super Eagles defeated Jamaica on penalties to clinch the title at the Gtech Community Stadium. 

The Wrexham goalkeeper made his intentions known to FIFA shortly after the Unity Cup, but the process was only completed in the final week of December, meaning he was not eligible for consideration for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad. 

However, with his switch now being confirmed by the global footballing governing body, Okonkwo will be in contention for selection for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers later this year, where he will challenge the likes of Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and teenage star Ebenezer Harcourt for the Super Eagles' number one jersey. 

Okonkwo’s impact on Wrexham’s rapid rise 

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After coming through the ranks at the famous Hale End, Okonkwo spent loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz in Austria before Wrexham brought him in on a season-long move following the retirement of Ben Foster in 2023. 

Okonkwo helped the Red Dragons finish second in League Two the same season and completed a permanent move to the Welsh side ahead of the following campaign. He then kept 19 clean sheets in 33 League One matches, as Wrexham secured back-to-back promotions. 

This season, the 24-year-old shot-stopper has recorded seven clean sheets in 23 Championship games for his side, which has helped get them to 40 points and ninth place in the standings, just one point off Playoff qualification. 

After beating Derby County and confirming our football predictions last weekend, Okonkwo and Wrexham will return to action on Friday night, when they host Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup.