Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has extended his contract with Serie A side Udinese until 2028, following an impressive performance last season.

The 23 year-old had a standout season, rebounding from his struggles at Watford to join Udinese, where he quickly rose to become the first-choice goalkeeper.

Not only that his performances were strong enough to earn him a return call-up back to the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers under former coach Finidi George, although he did not feature in the matches.

Okoye made 22 league appearances for the Zebras last season, keeping 5 clean sheets.

Speculation about a potential move to Inter Milan had earlier arisen, but these rumours have been put to rest with his recent contract extension.

Over the weekend, Okoye once again demonstrated his worth with a top-class performance, including two crucial saves in the closing stages of a 1-1 draw against Bologna in their season opener.

In a statement on the club’s website, Udinese said:

“Together again, and for longer.”

“Maduka Okoye has renewed his contract with Udinese Calcio, which means the Nigerian goalkeeper will be tied to the club until 30 June 2028.”

“Maduka, who arrived in Friuli in summer 2023, played a central role over last season and consistently showed his high standards, making him one of the best performing goalkeepers in the league.”

“Through renewing his contract, both Okoye and the club have shown their desire to continue this journey together with even more enthusiasm and ambition.“

What Lies Ahead

With his contract now extended, this season will provide an opportunity for him to build on his impressive performances and become a more integral part of Udinese’s success.

His continued consistency could help him reclaim his position as the Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper.

However, he will face strong competition from Stanley Nwabali, who has also made a mark with his performances.