Maduka Okoye Shines in the Starting Lineup of an Italian Club: Salary and Prospects of the Young Nigerian Goalkeeper

During the latter part of the 2023/2024 season, Udinese Calcio’s performance showed signs of improvement after a challenging start. A significant influence on this turnaround was exerted by Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who seized the opportunity and replaced veteran Marco Silvestri in the Italian team’s goal. Kick Off Nigeria looks into the goalkeepers financial story. 

What is Maduka Okoye’s Salary at Udinese Calcio?

The Nigerian national team goalkeeper joined the Italian club in the summer of 2023, with the agreement running until June 30, 2027. Over four years in Italy he will earn €2,560,000 without bonuses. That equals €640,000 per season, which amounts to €12,308 per week.

Team Salary Overview: Okoye Among the Top Five Highest-Paid African Players in the Squad

In the 2023/2024 season, Udinese Calcio’s total wage bill amounts to €25,200,000, or €484,615 per week. The highest-paid player in the team is winger Florian Thauvin. The World Cup champion with the French national team earns €2,310,000 per year, which is €44,423 per week.

Maduka Okoye, on the other hand, ranks only 18th in the salary rankings. He is the tenth highest-paid non-European player in the Italian team. Additionally, the Nigerian goalkeeper occupies just the fourth position among the highest-paid African players at Udinese Calcio. He also rounds out the top five among players under 24 years old in the Italian club. Following him, 24-year-old Zimbabwean Jordan Zemura earns €130,000 less.

Career Salary Comparison

After Watford F.C. signed a contract with the young Nigerian goalkeeper, who had spent an entire season in the starting lineup of Sparta Rotterdam, the player’s salary increased by more than 5.5 times. However, failing to break into the first team of the English club, Maduka Okoye moved to Italy. In Serie A, the Nigerian’s earnings nearly doubled, becoming the highest in his career.

Market Value: Decline After Moving to Top-5 Leagues

Despite never debuting for Fortuna Dusseldorf’s main team, Okoye consistently performed in the Regionalliga West, attracting the attention of Eredivisie clubs. By the time of signing with Sparta Rotterdam, the goalkeeper’s transfer value had tripled. Within a year in the Netherlands, Okoye, with 10 clean sheets, was named the team’s Player of the Season, increasing his transfer value nearly sevenfold. However, after moving to England, the Nigerian’s transfer value began to decline. Playing only two matches for Watford F.C. in a season, and entering Udinese Calcio’s starting lineup only in late December 2023, Okoye’s market value decreased by nearly half, currently estimated at €2 million by Transfermarkt.

International Achievements

Maduka Okoye made his debut for the Nigerian national team in the autumn of 2019. Three years later, the goalkeeper joined the national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, playing in three matches. Nigeria reached the Round of 16 but narrowly lost to Tunisia, exiting the tournament. Okoye was last called up for international friendlies in the autumn of 2023. In total, the Nigerian goalkeeper has played 16 games for the national team, keeping eight clean sheets.

Football and Financial Prospects

Maduka Okoye began the 2023/2024 season on the bench. However, in late December, due to unsatisfactory results of the team, the Nigerian made his debut for Udinese Calcio and not only kept a clean sheet but also helped to secure their second victory of the season. 

Furthermore, the goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet in three matches. If Okoye manages to establish himself in the team’s starting lineup, there is a possibility that he will not only return to the national team but also attract the attention of stronger European clubs.