Super Eagles No 1 Maduka Okoye has said he is proud to reach an agreement to join Watford in the Premier League, just as his Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam revealed they could not refuse the offer they received for the goalkeeper.
Okoye, 22, has signed a contract for five and half years with Watford effective January 1, 2022, but he will play on loan at Sparta till the end of the season.
He said he flew out to England to sign off on the agreement.
“After the game against Willem II, I prepared myself for the international matches with Nigeria, but in the meantime I went to England to meet Watford,” Okoye narrated.
“That went very quickly because I had to join the national team a day later.
“Of course I am very proud that I can play in the Premier League, but also that I can play at Het Kasteel (Sparta) for our fans until the end of the season.
“Of course I really wanted this, but I also want to finish well with Sparta, that is the best arrangement.”
The transfer fee was not made public, but Sparta technical director Henk van Stee said the club are smiling to the bank.
“The only thing I can say about it (transfer fee) is that it is an amount that cannot be refused by Sparta for an outgoing transfer,” he said.
“Sparta would prefer to let Maduka go only to a top competition. If Premier League clubs show interest, it will be very difficult for the club, player and agent to delay a transfer.
“Then it is important for us to get the best possible terms for Sparta and we believe that we have succeeded.”
