By Olamide Abe
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has had his international allegiance switch from England to Nigeria formally approved by FIFA, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Born in London to Nigerian parents, the 24-year-old represented England at youth level from U-15 to U-18, but never featured for the senior Three Lions side.
With FIFA confirming the switch on its change of association platform on Monday, Okonkwo is now eligible for selection by Nigeria, joining fierce goalkeeper group that includes Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, and Francis Uzoho.
Okonkwo’s move makes him the fifth player this year to switch away from England for another national team, following Lucy Day to Wales, Harvey Vale to Ireland, Emily Cassap to Northern Ireland, and Carney Chukwuemeka, also of Nigerian descent, to Austria.
Having progressed through Arsenal’s youth academy, Okonkwo spent loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz before joining Wrexham initially on loan in the summer of 2023, with the transfer made permanent a year later.
He has since established himself as the Welsh club’s first-choice goalkeeper, making 119 appearances and contributing to two promotions.
This season, Okonkwo has featured in 42 matches across all competitions, keeping ten clean sheets in 37 Championship games, placing him joint seventh in the division.
A call-up to the Super Eagles in the next international window would see him potentially link up with former Arsenal academy graduates Alex Iwobi and Semi Ajayi.
Nigeria’s next fixtures include friendlies against India and Jamaica in the 2026 Unity Cup in May before facing Poland ad Portugal in June, providing an opportunity for Okonkwo to stake his claim for a senior debut.
The Super Eagles finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, falling to hosts Morocco in the semi-final, and subsequently failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup after losing the African play-off final to DR Congo, who have now secured their place in the tournament.
At club level, Wrexham sit sixth in the Championship as they chase a fourth consecutive promotion.
