Okoye Shuts Down Speculation Over Udinese Exit
The Super Eagles goalkeeper says his focus is entirely on Udinese for now, despite continued transfer talk linking him with Serie A giants Juventus.
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Maduka Okoye has ruled out leaving Udinese this summer, pushing back against speculation that has linked him with a move to Serie A giants Juventus.
The interest follows another strong campaign for the Nigerian shot stopper, who kept 10 clean sheets in 30 league appearances for the Zebras last season.
Speaking to Transfermarkt, the former Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper reaffirmed his commitment to Udinese, saying his head is fully with the club right now and that he’s not preoccupied with what might come next in his career. He acknowledged that circumstances in football can shift quickly, and that Udinese would be well placed to find a capable replacement if that ever happened, but stressed that for now he considers himself entirely focused on his job at the club.
Okoye still has two years remaining on his contract with Kosta Runjaic’s side. He joined Udinese from Championship club Watford in 2023, and the club will open their 2026/27 campaign with a Coppa Italia fixture against Serie B side Padova on August 15.
Did You Know?
- Maduka Okoye is 26 years old and kept 10 clean sheets in 30 league appearances for Udinese last season.
- He joined Udinese from Watford, then in the Championship, in 2023.
- Before Watford, he played for Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
- Okoye has two years remaining on his current Udinese contract.
- Kosta Runjaic is Udinese’s current head coach.
- Bournemouth had also previously been reported to be interested in signing Okoye.
- Udinese open their 2026/27 season with a Coppa Italia match against Padova on August 15.
