Nigerian defender Okoye commits to staying with Udinese

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Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has ruled out leaving Udinese this summer despite growing interest from Juventus and other clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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Okoye kept 10 clean sheets in 30 league appearances last season, helping Kosta Runjaic’s side to a top-half finish in Serie A. His performances at club level, combined with his displays in Nigeria’s pre-World Cup friendlies against Poland and Portugal, have placed him firmly on the radar of top European clubs.

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The 21-cap Super Eagles goalkeeper, who is valued at €10m by Transfermarkt and has two years remaining on his contract, said his focus remains fully on Udinese.

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“Of course, I still have goals in my career, but currently my head is complete at Udinese. I enjoy it without thinking too much about the future. In football things can change quickly, and if it happens, I know that the club is well positioned and can still earn a nice replacement. But until then, I am 100 per cent Udinese professional,” Okoye told Transfermarkt.

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Having spent part of his summer break in a Formula One cockpit and appearing alongside American rapper Cardi B at a fashion event in Paris, Okoye has since returned to pre-season training with Udinese with no transfer-related distractions.

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“I am happy to be here. We are happy to be here with the fans, and we cannot wait to get started,” the 26-year-old said in quotes carried by Tuttomercatoweb after Udinese unveiled their jersey for the 2026/27 season.

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With pre-season now underway, Okoye will be hoping to build on last season’s form before linking up with Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September, where he is expected to compete for the number one jersey following the return of Stanley Nwabali to Chippa United.

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Udinese open their 2026/27 campaign with a Coppa Italia fixture against Serie B side Padova on August 15.

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