Maduka Okoye Shifts Focus to New Season After Eventful Summer
Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says he is fully focused on football as he prepares for the new season with Italian club Udinese.
Okoye enjoyed an eventful summer, making appearances at high-profile events including the British Grand Prix and Paris Fashion Week in July. However, the 26-year-old goalkeeper insists his activities away from football will not distract him from his responsibilities on the pitch.
“What happens off the pitch is one thing, what happens on the pitch is another. You have to separate the two. I never let these two worlds collide,” Okoye said.
The goalkeeper acknowledged that marketing, public appearances and personal branding have become increasingly important in modern football but stressed that his priority remains helping his club succeed.
“At the end of the day, I am a goalkeeper, and my main job is to protect my team’s goal,” he added.
Okoye has been the subject of transfer speculation this summer, with reports linking him with a possible move away from Udinese. Despite the rumours, he remains under contract with the Italian club until 2028.
The Nigerian has also credited Udine’s relatively quiet environment with helping him maintain the concentration required to perform at the highest level.
“I really like Udine. It’s a human, quiet city. You have your peace there and you can focus 100 per cent on your work,” he said.
His time at Udinese has helped him rebuild his career following a difficult period at Watford. Last season, Okoye kept 10 clean sheets in Serie A, establishing himself as an important member of the Udinese squad.
He will now be looking to continue that form as the 2026/27 campaign gets underway.
Udinese are scheduled to face Padova in the Coppa Italia Round of 64 next Saturday, before opening their Serie A campaign at home against Como on August 22, 2026.
With the new season approaching, Okoye appears determined to keep the spotlight firmly on his football and build on his progress at Udinese.