Arsenal have confirmed the signing of two Super Eagles-eligible stars, ahead of next season’s title charge.
Brian Okonkwo, the younger brother of Super Eagles-eligible shot-stopper Arthur Okonkwo, has officially signed a professional contract with Arsenal, the club has revealed via their official website.
It has also been confirmed that Josh Nicols, a fullback with four nationalities who is eligible for Nigeria due to his mother, has signed a professional contract with the North London club.
Brian Okonkwo and Josh Nicols sign for Arsenal
The two are among the new group of players who have been given professional contracts, along with Maldini Kacurri, Ismeal Kabia, Sebastián Ferdinand, Harrison Dudziak, and Osman Kamara.
With the loss of four excellent goalkeepers, including his older brother Arthur and Ovie Ejeheri, it became crucial for Arsenal to convince Okonkwo to sign a new contract.
Last season, the 18-year-old made three appearances in the Premier League 2 while playing for both the development team and the U18s, marking his biggest advancement with the North London team.
He hopes to further his progress in the upcoming season, especially by featuring prominently for the U21s, which will get him closer to playing for the starting squad.
Nichols also made significant strides in his development last season, having played nine matches in the Premier League 2 and two outings in the playoffs against Manchester United and Chelsea,
The 17-year-old also hopes to play a bigger role in Mehmet Ali’s team throughout the upcoming season.
