Nigerian international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has shared insights into the challenging period he faced at Watford. He described this time as one of the most demanding phases of his professional career.

Okoye has since revitalized his form and reputation with Udinese in Italy’s Serie A. Now, he stands out as one of the league’s top performers. He originally joined Watford in the summer after the club’s relegation from the Premier League. At the time, he was still recovering from shoulder surgery, making his transition far from smooth.

Speaking to Footy-Africa, Maduka Okoye elaborated on his experience. “My time at Watford was challenging,” he revealed. “A lot was happening, both on and off the pitch. I was younger and dealing with many things simultaneously. This included recovering from shoulder surgery. It was indeed a tough period for me.”

Maduka Okoye’s Udinese Revival

The 26-year-old admitted that this difficult phase taught him valuable lessons. He reflected, “Maybe I didn’t deal with some situations in the best way.” However, he added, “I learned from them and I’ve grown a lot.” Okoye quickly seized his new opportunity at Udinese. “I got another chance, and I took it,” he stated. “I’ve become a better player and a better man.”

Okoye never made a league appearance for Watford before being sent on loan to Sparta Rotterdam. His resurgence in Italy has been remarkable. He has cemented his position as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper. He consistently earns praise for his exceptional performances.

Premier League Interest and Future Ambitions

His strong form has also attracted attention from several English Premier League clubs. Bournemouth, for instance, was linked with him during the last transfer window. Okoye welcomed the speculation surrounding his future. Yet, he stressed his full commitment to his current club.

The goalkeeper commented on the rumours. “I’m always happy when there are rumours,” he stated. “It means I’m doing well, and clubs might want to have a future with me.” However, he emphasized his current dedication to Udinese. “At this moment, I’m very happy at Udinese. I will give everything for the club. My focus is fully here.” Okoye also mentioned his long-term goals. “Of course, I also want to take a step forward in my career at some point.” But, he reiterated, “right now my full focus is on Udinese.”