Arthur Okonkwo, a former England youth player, has received FIFA approval to switch his allegiance to the Super Eagles.
FIFA confirmed the allegiance switch on its Change of Association portal.
Okonkwo was born in Camden, London, to Nigerian parents in 2001. He joined the Arsenal academy at age seven. He was hailed as a promising goalkeeper throughout his years in Arsenal’s youth team. However, he made only one appearance for the club’s senior team in an unofficial friendly match, despite numerous appearances on the matchday bench.
Okonkwo left Arsenal permanently in 2024 after several loan spells. He is currently with Wrexham in the English Championship.
The young goalkeeper represented England serially across all age grades.
The Super Eagles are currently facing a goalkeeping dilemma, with several contenders for the team’s number one shirt struggling to impress. Stanley Nwabali, who had been the Eagles’ first choice for the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is currently without a club after he ended his deal with South Africa’s Chippa United earlier this year.
Other candidates, such as Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasoge, and Adebayo Adeleye, have been less convincing in the role.
Okonkwo joins the growing list of London-born footballers who now form the core of the Nigerian national team.
