Confirmed: Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye seals Watford move in Sparta’s biggest transfer

With a statement on their official website, English Premier League club Watford have announced that they have reached an agreement to sign Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye with effect from January 1, 2022, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Rotterdam-based side will reportedly receive around seven million euros for Okoye, which will make the Nigerian shot-stopper the most expensive sale in the history of the club.

Before Okoye’s move, the most expensive player sale in Sparta’s history was completed in 2008 when Marvin Emnes departed for Middlesbrough for €4 million.

As part of the agreement between Watford and Sparta Rotterdam, Okoye will be spending the remainder of this season on loan at the Eredivisie club.

Okoye is credited with 43 appearances for Sparta Rotterdam, posting 12 shutouts while conceding 57 goals.

The 22-year-old as had stints with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf before moving to Sparta Rotterdam in the summer of 2020.

Fellow Nigeria internationals Oghenekaro Etebo, Emmanuel Dennis and William Troost-Ekong, plus Nigeria U23 international Tom Dele-Bashiru, Joseph Hungbo and Dapo Mebude are currently on the books of the Hornets, though the last three of the aforementioned players have been loaned out to Reading, Ross County and AFC Wimbledon respectively.