A one year deal at Championship side West Brom has been secured by Nigerian-eligible goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo, who departed Arsenal at the end of last season. London-born shot-stopper impressed during a trial period and was handed a contract following a clean sheet performance against Crystal Palace on 29 August.
Okonkwo, 19, is the younger brother of Wrexham’s Arthur Okonkwo and came through Arsenal’s Hale End Academy. He has previously had loan spells at non-league clubs including Hitchin Town, Leatherhead, and Cheshunt, but never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners.
Originally a striker in his youth, Okonkwo was later converted to a goalkeeper. He qualifies to represent Nigeria through his father, who hails from Anambra State. At West Brom, he’ll join fellow young talents Daniel Chimeziri, Joel Asomugha, Abdul Abudu, and Adam Okorodudu in the club’s academy setup.
Editorial
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We welcome Brian Okonkwo’s move to West Brom as a fresh opportunity for a young goalkeeper seeking to rebuild his career. Having spent much of his formative years at Arsenal, but never breaking into the first team, Okonkwo’s time in north London offered training and development but not the exposure he needed to truly test himself at senior level. Now, at West Brom, he has a real chance to step out of the shadows and stake his claim.
His trial performances, including the clean sheet against Crystal Palace, suggest he is ready for competitive football. Confidence is vital for goalkeepers, and regular match action even at Championship or lower levels—can foster growth in ways training alone cannot. The one year contract ensures there will be pressure to perform, but also opportunity for him to prove his worth.
At just 19, Okonkwo still has time to develop physically and technically. His background as a striker may give him extra understanding of how attackers think—insight he can use to anticipate and react to danger in goal. But to capitalise on that, he will need to remain disciplined, focused, and mentally resilient, especially when mistakes are inevitable.
If West Brom provide the structure, guidance, and match exposure he needs, Okonkwo could transform this transitional period into a launching pad for a stable professional career. We believe that with determination and the right environment, he can turn this moment into a period of real growth.
Did You Know?
- Brian Okonkwo began his football journey as a striker before being converted into a goalkeeper.
- His brother, Arthur Okonkwo, currently plays for Wrexham and is also a former Arsenal youth product.
- The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet during his trial match for West Brom against Crystal Palace, which helped secure his contract.
- Despite being developed at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, Brian never made a senior first-team appearance for the Gunners.
- Brian qualifies to represent Nigeria through his father, who is originally from Anambra State.
