Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is one of Wrexham’s most well-loved players.
The popular keeper has become one of the Red Dragons’ most important players since he joined Ryan Reynolds’ and Rob McElhenney’s side in 2023.
He’s been superb since linking up with the Wrexham squad at the Racecourse – and will be a regular in the side as they traverse through the football league.
With this – here is absolutely everything you need to know about Arthur Okonkwo.
Who is Arthur Okonkwo?
Okonkwo, who was born on 9th September 2001, has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough.
A product of Arsenal’s prestigious youth academy, Okonkwo, signed for the Gunners in 2009 when he was just a young boy.
After climbing the academy’s ranks, Okonkwo then gained top-flight experience by joining four-time Austrian champions Sturm Graz on loan where he kept nine clean sheets from 18 appearances during the second half of the 2022-23 season. The goalkeeper was also part of the Sturm Graz squad that won the Austrian Cup.
After returning to Arsenal, Okonkwo was offered the chance to join Wrexham as Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continued in their fight to take the Red Dragons to the Premier League.
Okonkwo initially joined Wrexham on a season-long loan for the 2023-24 campaign, but after his performances helped the club win promotion to League One, it was agreed Okonkwo would sign permanently on a free transfer.
Okonkwo was also crowned League One’s ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Year’ in his first season at the Racecourse Ground.
What is Arthur Okonkwo’s salary at Wrexham?
Although the total value of Okonskwo’s contract at Wrexham has not been confirmed the London-born keeper is believed to be among the club’s best-paid players.
The 23-year-old’s annual salary, which sees him the club’s highest-paid goalkeeper, reportedly earns him £130,000-per year. His current contract expires in June 2027.
Arthur Okonkwo Stats
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Goal Conceded | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrexham | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 24 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 10 |
| SK Sturm Graz | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 6 |
| Arsenal U-21 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 5 |
| Arsenal U-18 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 |
Why does Arthur Okonkwo wear a mask?
Okonkwo suffered a fractured jaw against Harrogate Town on 28th November, 2023, while on loan at Wrexham from Arsenal.
The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series showed fans how serious Okonkwo’s injury was. An X-ray, taken at the time, highlighted a significant bone fracture from the keeper’s bottom row of teeth to underneath his jaw.
After undergoing surgery, he returned to playing wearing a protective mask to prevent further injury.
Three interesting facts about Arthur Okonkwo
Brother
Okonkwo has a younger brother, Brian Okonkwo, who also plays as a goalkeeper in Arsenal’s youth academy.
Height
Okonkwo is among the tallest professional goalkeepers in England.
He stands at a huge 6 feet 6 inches (1.9m) tall, with only Tottenham’s Fraser Forster (2.01m), Colchester United’s Matt Macey (2.01m) and Hereford’s Aaron Chapman (2.03m) taller.
Nationality
Internationally, Okonkwo has represented England at various youth levels, including their under-16, under-17, and under-18 teams but remains eligible to play for Nigeria due to his heritage.