Jay-Jay Okocha: Why I turned down offers from top European clubs

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former Nigerian football star Jay-Jay Okocha has opened up about his decision to turn down offers from some of Europe’s biggest clubs during his playing career.

Widely regarded for his dazzling skills on the ball, Okocha’s career took him to clubs such as Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, Qatar SC, and Hull City, before he retired in 2008.

However, his decision to not play for elite clubs, particularly in the Premier League, has often raised questions.

Okocha explained that the offers from top clubs were not financially attractive enough, especially considering the challenges African players faced in the European market at the time.

“It was not easy for an African player to play for top clubs because they didn’t offer high wages,” Okocha said in a recent interview with Arise TV.

“When they offered you a contract, the money was small because they saw it as doing you a favour.”

He went on to share that he had turned down several offers from big clubs due to wage-related issues, but acknowledged that the landscape has since changed.

“Things have changed now, as Africans and Nigerians get bigger contracts overseas,” Okocha added.