Super Eagles goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has completed a season-long loan move to Championship club Charlton Athletic from AFC Wrexham, Footynaija.com reports.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper becomes Charlton’s eighth signing of the summer and returns to a familiar setting after making his senior international debut for Nigeria at The Valley earlier this year.
Okonkwo was handed his first start by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle in Nigeria’s Unity Cup semi-final against Zimbabwe in May, where he went on to keep a clean sheet as the three-time African champions secured a 2-0 victory.
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The former Arsenal academy prospect retained his place for the final against Jamaica and produced another composed display as Nigeria cruised to a 3-0 victory, giving him two caps and two clean sheets at the tournament.
Okonkwo arrives in south-east London with considerable experience after establishing himself as Wrexham’s first-choice goalkeeper last season. He made 39 Championship appearances during the 25/26 campaign and kept 10 clean sheets.
Charlton delighted Arthur Okonkwo’s arrival
Charlton manager Nathan Jones is also a big admirer of the Nigerian, having witnessed his quality first-hand when the Addicks faced Wrexham last season.
“I’m delighted to bring Arthur to the club. We know how good a goalkeeper he is – he made two world class saves against us last season, one in each game we played against Wrexham,” Jones said, per Charlton’s official website.
For Okonkwo, the move represents another opportunity to develop and strengthen his credentials at both club and international level.
“I’m happy to be here and I’m ready to go. Coming here, it’s another season where I really want to do well and improve again,” the Nigeria international said.
Speaking to the manager, that’s what he wants me to do here – not only to do well, but to improve as a goalkeeper. It’s a great group. They’ve welcomed me really well and I can’t wait to get to know them even more.”
Amid stiff competition for the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping spot, regular football at Championship level could prove crucial for Okonkwo as he looks to build on his impressive start to life with the senior national team.
And having already kept a couple of clean sheets at The Valley in the colours of the Super Eagles, the goalkeeper will now hope to create more memorable moments at the same stadium as a Charlton stopper.
