Millwall have confirmed the release of Nigerian centre-back Chinwike Okoli as part of their retained and released list for the 2024–2025 season. Okoli, 21, exits the Championship side without a first-team appearance but leaves behind a strong legacy at youth level.
The towering defender captained Millwall’s U18 side in 2021–2022 and went on to lead the U21 team to a domestic double the following season, winning both the Professional Development League South Division and the national final.
Despite not breaking into the senior team, Okoli gained valuable senior experience through loan spells with Torquay United, Bromley, Sutton United, and most recently Woking. He made 17 appearances for Woking in the National League and scored once against Southend United. In total, he accumulated 48 appearances in the fifth tier of English football, scoring three goals and contributing one assist.
Okoli is now a free agent and will be seeking a new club ahead of the 2025–2026 campaign. He is represented by the same agent as Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Ola Aina, Terem Moffi, and Josh Maja.
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Editorial
Chinwike Okoli’s release by Millwall may seem like a setback, but it could very well be the turning point in a career still full of promise. At just 21, the Nigerian defender boasts leadership experience, competitive match exposure across four clubs, and a solid foundation built in one of England’s most respected youth systems.
Okoli’s career trajectory highlights the harsh reality faced by many talented young players in top English academies. Despite captaining Millwall’s U18 and U21 sides and leading them to silverware, he couldn’t find a pathway into the senior squad. But that shouldn’t overshadow his potential. Forty-eight games in the National League isn’t just experience it’s proof of his readiness for the physical and mental demands of senior football.
What Okoli needs now is the right club one that sees beyond his academy background and values his maturity, aerial dominance, and leadership. Whether that comes in the National League, League Two, or abroad, his journey is far from over. Many top defenders have walked similar paths facing rejection, yet finding resurgence through perseverance.
For Nigeria, Okoli’s development remains worth watching. He may not be Super Eagles material yet, but with the right platform, he could emerge as one of the next big defensive assets. The key now lies in taking the right next step.
Did You Know?
- Chinwike Okoli captained Millwall U21s to a historic double in the 2022–2023 season, winning both their division and the national final.
- He has made a total of 48 appearances in the National League, England’s fifth tier, across four different clubs on loan.
- Okoli scored his first senior goal in March 2025 for Woking, during a match against Southend United.
- Despite being released by Millwall, he shares an agent with top Nigerian internationals, including Terem Moffi and Alex Iwobi.
- The English Football League mandates that clubs must submit their retained and released lists by mid-May each year, ensuring players like Okoli can seek new opportunities promptly.
