My time at Watford was challenging – Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has offered an honest reflection on his turbulent period after first joining Watford, describing it as one of the most testing times in his career. The Nigerian international has since rebuilt his form and reputation with Udinese in Serie A.

Okoye joined the English club while still recovering from shoulder surgery, compounding the difficulties he faced.

“My time at Watford was challenging, a lot was happening, not only on the pitch but also off it. I was younger and dealing with many things at the same time, including recovering from shoulder surgery. It was a tough period,” Maduka Okoye told Footy-Africa.

The goalkeeper admitted that he has learned valuable lessons from that experience:“Maybe I didn’t deal with some situations in the best way, but I learned from them and I’ve grown a lot.”

Okoye never made a league appearance for Watford, eventually being sent on loan to Sparta Rotterdam. However, his move to Italy has marked a remarkable resurgence.

“I got another chance at Udinese, and I took it. I’ve become a better player and a better man,” he stated.

His consistent and praised performances have cemented him as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper, proving his growth both on and off the field.