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Official: Watford sign highly-rated young Nigeria star

Maduka Okoye
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One of Nigeria’s finest young goalkeepers has agreed on a Premier League move to Watford.

Watford have announced an agreement to sign Maduka Okoye from Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam in January.

The German-born Nigeria international has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League club. His deal at Vicarage Road becomes official on January 1, 2022 – when the winter transfer window opens.

Watford, who will reportedly pay the Dutch club around €6 million, have agreed to allow Okoye to stay at Sparta Rotterdam on loan until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

“The 6ft 6in shot-stopper’s consistent displays for both club and country have seen him linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but he has now put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Golden Boys,” read a statement from Watford.

“Welcome to Watford, Maduka.”

Okoye has established himself as the No.1 at Sparta Rotterdam since his arrival from boyhood club Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2017 on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper has made 43 appearances for the oldest Dutch football team. He has also won 13 caps with the Nigeria national team.

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