Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and starting life as a Watford player, following his agreed move from Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam.
The German-born Nigeria international will sign for the Hornets from January 1, 2022, and spend the rest of this season on loan at Rotterdam before joining up with Watford next summer.
Standing at 6ft 6in and part of last season’s Eredivisie Team of the Year, the towering shot-stopper possesses many desirable qualities as a goalkeeper, and the 22-year-old is eager to continue his development at Vicarage Road.
“[Watford have] great facilities and I think this is the perfect step for myself,” said Okoye.
“I feel very good about this decision and this new step in my career.
“I’m very comfortable in the air and I like one-on-ones. I just love the game, of course there’s room for improvement in everything but that’s what I am here for and I want to reach a new level.
“I hope to bring security at the back and achieve our goals with the team.”
Okoye has 13 caps for the Super Eagles, with his time on international duty having introduced him to a selection of Watford stars including William Troost-Ekong, Peter Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis.
He also looks forward to representing his country at January’s Africa Cup Of Nations, having played a large part in Nigeria’s qualification for the tournament.
“Ekong, Etebo and Dennis are my guys and I’m looking forward to seeing them,” Okoye added.
“I’m looking forward to the AFCON in January, it’s a big platform for every player and a big chance for me to represent my country in such a tournament.”
Until his arrival in Hertfordshire Okoye will continue his hard work at Sparta Rotterdam, who he helped reach the European play-off places with an eighth-place finish in the Eredivisie last term.
The former Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf stopper kept a clean sheet in his last match against Willem II, and is now away with Nigeria alongside Troost-Ekong.
