Okoye set to become Watford number one following Ben Foster departure

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has received a major boost in his bid to secure regular football at Watford following Ben Foster's announcement, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The veteran English goalkeeper announced that he will be leaving the Hornets' nest at the end of the season. The 39-year-old former Manchester United goalkeeper tweeted: “The ups, downs, good, bad and ugly…it’s all part of the journey!

“My time at Watford FC is up, but a huge thanks for all the support and love I've received from fans, players and staff in the 6 years with the club, it’s been a blast!

“Looking forward to what next season will bring.”

This leaves the number one spot at the club up for taking, with Okoye returning to his parent club in the coming weeks to prepare for a new season in the English Championship.

The German-born Nigerian international's heroics between the sticks for Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam, where he spent one-and-a-half seasons and a six month loan spell, helped keep the club afloat.

The relegation race went down to the wire and it took some special performances from Okoye and a few other members of the team to assure them of a spot in the Dutch top flight next season.

In the penultimate game of the season, Okoye proved big for Sparta's opponents PEC Zwolle in goal, saving a number of efforts. His teammates did their bit in attack, putting two past their opponents to leave the relegation zone and move up into 15th place.

This is the second season in a row that Okoye has come up clutch for the club, after his heroics in the 2020/21 season also helped them play in the 2021/22 Eredivisie season.

An impassioned Okoye took the microphone and rallied the supporters after the game which was their last home game of the season. He will now join up with his new teammates in England where his chances of making it to the top have been boosted by Foster's departure.