Nigeria international goalkepper Maduka Okoye has said his farewell to Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam following the end of his loan spell at the club.
The 22 year old was signed by English Championship side Watford and loaned straight back to Sparta Rotterdam for the season. He played a huge role in ensuring that they beat the drop to the Dutch second division.
Okoye followed up last season ten clean sheets with seven this season despite their obvious struggles to stay in the Dutch top division. His contribution didn’t go unnoticed and the fans showed him their appreciation after yesterday’s game.
Reacting to the message of love from the fans who came in their numbers, Okoye said if he has his wish he would love to play at the club for the next 15 years saying they made him who he is. He is however hopeful that he will one day return to the club.
“I would have preferred to have played here for fifteen years, but I also have to think about myself,” he tells RTV Rijnmond .
“However, it doesn’t have to be a final goodbye. “It is never too late to return. As a goalkeeper you can play for a long time. Of course I want to play at the highest level for the next ten to twelve years and win the Champions League one day. But in my last years I can already see myself here play.”
“Why? It’s a feeling. When I look back on my years here, I get emotional. Nobody knew me when I played at Jong Düsseldorf. Without Sparta I would never have been here now. I really love the club. Rotterdam.”
