Soccer
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Copyright: ImagoxManjitxNarotrax
Super Eagles and AFC Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has seen his younger brother, Brian, sign a two-year deal with EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion, Soccernet.ng reports.
Like Arthur, Brian began his football career at Arsenal’s Hale End Football Academy, featuring for the Gunners in League Cup games and Premier League 2 fixtures.
Last summer, the Baggies announced that they’d signed Brian Okonkwo on a one-year deal after a trial period with the U-21 side. After impressing with the Youth team, he’s penned another deal with the five-time FA Cup winners.
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Soccer Arthur Okonkwo’s brother pens new West Brom deal
In West Brom’s retained list for the 2026/2027 campaign, the club announced they’d agreed to new contracts for Jamal Mohammed, goalkeeper Ben Cisse, Will Rutter, and Brian Okonkwo.
“It’s a positive step for the players who’ve been at the club to have another year to progress,” West Brom academy manager Richard Stevens said.
“Jamal and Ben needed another year to continue their maturity in the game. Both trained with the first team at points last season, and both could get similar opportunities again when the time is right.
“We’re very lucky at the club to have some really talented goalkeepers, whether that be Joe (Wallis), Ben, Brian, Will, Maxwell (Moses), and we’re here to help them use that time to their advantage.
“On Brian [Okonkwo], he came into our programme late last season, but he used that time to do a lot of work with Head of Academy Goalkeeping, Phil Smart, and in the first team with Boaz Myhill as well.
“He’s an important part of our programme and if you look at most goalkeepers, historically, they need more development time, loan moves, opportunities and patience as well.
“Brian made a big impact at the football club and I believe he will benefit from the programme over the coming season.
“There’s so many matches in academy football, while balancing getting players loan moves over the course of the season, and Will came in towards the end of the campaign to help continue that process,” the 53-year-old concluded.
The 20-year-old now joins Josh Maja, Semi Ajayi, Osaze Odemwingie, Ifeanyi Udeze, and Sam Sodje on the list of Nigerians to have played for the one-time English Premier League Champions.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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