By Wale Mustapha
Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has admitted uncertainty over his future with Udinese following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Serie A season, despite an impressive run of form between the posts.
The 24-year-old, who joined the Zebras from Watford two seasons ago, has been one of the standout performers for Kosta Runjaic’s side this campaign, making 24 league appearances and recording four clean sheets.
Okoye’s performances have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from top-tier clubs in Italy and across Europe, including reported links to AC Milan and Premier League side Bournemouth.
Speaking to Udinese’s official website, the Super Eagles goalkeeper expressed his affection for the club and its supporters but stopped short of committing to a long-term stay.
“I am one of you, I am a black and white player, and I am happy to be here,” said Okoye.
“It is difficult to think about the future because I am only focused on Udinese. The club and the fans have entered my heart.”
As the summer transfer window approaches, speculation around Okoye’s next move is expected to intensify, especially with several clubs reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
