Wrexham first choice goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has said he cannot wait to make his debut for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
World football governing body ,FIFA, comfirmed Okonkwo’s change of international allegiance from England to Nigeria, making him eligible to feature for the Super Eagles.
The approval was documented on FIFA’s Change of Association platform on April 6, 2026.
Okonkwo represented England at youth level between 2015 and 2019, appearing for the U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 teams. However, he has never featured for the senior Three Lions team, clearing the path for the switch under FIFA eligibility rules.
The 24-year-old is expected to make the Super Eagles squad for this month’s Unity Cup in London.
Speaking about his switch, Okonkwo said he is delighted and looking forward to featuring for the three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Also Read: Okonkwo Has Plenty To Prove In Eagles –Agu
“It’s an honour to being given the opportunity to play for your country, I’m excited I can’t wait,” Okonkwo said on Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) TV.
“I’ve been wanting this moment for quite a while now and to finally have the opportunity is incredible.”
Born in Camden, London, England to Nigerian parents, Okonkwo began his career at Hampstead Academy before moving on to Lindus Park, where he joined the Arsenal academy as an eight-year-old in 2009.
Okonkwo came through the Arsenal ranks quickly, starring on the bench for an under-18 Arsenal match, while being registered as a player for the under-15 team.
He also debuted for the under-23 Arsenal side as a 17-year-old. By the 2018–19 season, Okonkwo came runners-up in the U18 Premier League, and was already appearing as a bench goalkeeper for the first team, and going into the 2019–20 campaign, he would be third in line for goalkeeping duties.
He signed a senior contract with Arsenal in early July 2021, donning the number 33 for the first team and made his senior team debut on 13 July 2021, against Hibernian in a friendly.
Okonkwo left Arsenal on 30 June 2024 at the expiration of his contract with the club.
By James Agberebi
