Nigeria Players Abroad
Austin Okocha reveals Bayern Munich move collapsed because of age in 1991
Former Super Eagles midfielder Austin Okocha has revealed that Bayern Munich tried to sign him in 1991 but could not offer him a professional contract because he was not yet 18.
The German club were prepared to take Okocha after watching him play for their youth team at a tournament in Switzerland. However, German regulations meant he was unable to sign professional terms or play at the required level until after his 18th birthday.
Okocha, who turned 18 in August, said the rules required players to have reached that age before July if they were to play professionally during that season. As a result, Bayern could offer only a verbal agreement, leaving the teenager facing a wait of almost a year before he could formally join the club.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Okocha also clarified that his European career did not begin with Eintracht Frankfurt, as is often assumed. His first club in Germany was third-division side Borussia Neunkirchen.
“I got an offer from Bayern Munich. I went with their youth team to a tournament in Switzerland, and after that, they wanted to sign me,” Okocha said.
“Because I turned 18 in August, German rules stated that you had to turn 18 before July to play professionally that season. Because of that, I wasn’t even allowed to play in the promotion playoffs for the third division team I was playing foreven though we won our regional league and were aiming for the professional second division.”
Okocha said Bayern’s proposal depended on him accepting an arrangement that would not initially be put into writing. He would have trained with the first team and played for the reserves while waiting to become eligible for a professional contract.
“Bayern made me an offer, but it was only verbal because they said, ‘Oh, we can’t give you a professional contract until you turn 18.’ Since I turned 18 late in the year, I would have had to wait almost another year. I would have had to train with the professionals and play with the reserve team, but I was willing to take the risk because they were the biggest club in Germany.”
Despite his willingness to wait, Okocha wanted the agreement formally documented before committing his future to the Bavarian club.
“I asked them, ‘Can you put it in writing on paper? Because I can’t come all the way from Nigeria to rely on a verbal contract. What if I get injured and you tell me to go home? I’ll have nothing.’ They replied, ‘Well, if you don’t accept it, we’re sorry.’”
Okocha therefore returned to Nigeria and signed for Borussia Neunkirchen, beginning the season with the third-division club. His performances soon attracted further attention, and Eintracht Frankfurt moved for him during the winter transfer window.
The Bundesliga side understood the restrictions surrounding his situation and offered a contract that would initially run for one year as an amateur, followed by a two-year professional deal.
That move eventually gave Okocha his opportunity in Germany’s top flight. At Eintracht Frankfurt, he became renowned for his exceptional skill and went on to score a celebrated goal against goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, a moment that remains one of the defining highlights of his career.
