Following in his brother’s footsteps through the Arsenal academy pipeline, the 20 year old goalkeeper earns a fresh deal after a promising first year at the Hawthorns.
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Brian Okonkwo, younger brother of Super Eagles and AFC Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, has signed a new contract with EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion, according to Soccernet.ng.
Like his older brother, Brian came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy, featuring for the Gunners in League Cup and Premier League 2 fixtures before eventually leaving for the Midlands. He initially joined West Brom’s under-21 side on a one year deal last summer after a trial period, and has now been rewarded with fresh terms following an impressive season with the club’s youth setup.
Part Of A Wider Group Of Retained Young Keepers
Okonkwo’s new deal formed part of a broader announcement from West Brom confirming contract extensions for four academy prospects, alongside Jamal Mohammed, goalkeeper Ben Cisse and Will Rutter.
Academy manager Richard Stevens explained the club’s thinking behind the moves, saying the extra year would allow the group to keep progressing within the programme. He singled out Okonkwo’s late arrival to the academy last season, noting the goalkeeper had used the time well working closely with the club’s goalkeeping coaching staff and even training alongside the first team. Stevens added that goalkeepers typically need extended development time, loan spells and patience compared to outfield players, and said he believed Okonkwo would continue to benefit from another season in the programme.
Joining A Line Of Nigerians At The Hawthorns
The 20 year old now joins a list of Nigerian-linked players to have represented West Brom over the years, including Josh Maja, Semi Ajayi, Osaze Odemwingie, Ifeanyi Udeze and Sam Sodje. His older brother Arthur, meanwhile, continues his own career between the posts for Wrexham and the Super Eagles, giving the Okonkwo name a growing presence across English and Nigerian football circles.
📌 Did You Know?
- Arthur Okonkwo, Brian’s older brother, plays for Wrexham and has represented the Super Eagles at senior level.
- Both Okonkwo brothers came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy before moving on to senior football elsewhere.
- West Bromwich Albion have won the FA Cup five times in their history.
- Josh Maja, one of the Nigerian-linked players previously at West Brom, has also played in France’s Ligue 1.
- Goalkeepers are widely regarded in football development circles as needing longer developmental timelines than outfield players before breaking into senior football.