As signings go, this was about as low-risk a deal as it was possible to imagine for Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham.
Yes, he had not played a single minute of football in England’s third tier.
But after Arthur Okonkwo played a massive role in Wrexham’s promotion from League Two into League One during a loan spell from Arsenal in 2023/24, the chance to bring the talented goalkeeper back to the Racecourse Ground on a permanent basis was one Phil Parkinson and co could not afford to slip through their grasp.
As such, when Okonkwo’s Arsenal contract expired over the summer, Wrexham wasted no time slapping a three-year deal down onto his table.
And, speaking ahead of an EFL Trophy clash with Port Vale in which the 23-year-old is likely to be handed a well-deserved rest, Parkinson admits that the foundations for a full-time transfer were laid down during Okonkwo’s initial temporary stay in Wales.
Phil Parkinson hails Arthur Okonkwo impact at Wrexham
“Arthur was an amazing signing last year when we brought him in,” Parkinson tells Leader Live. “Keeping him in January for the rest of the season impacted hugely on our promotion.
“He is a great character and he loves it here.”
No goalkeeper in League One has kept more clean sheets this term than Okonkwo’s eight, level with Joe Whitworth of Exeter City. The London-born giant was unbeatable again as Wrexham defeated Mansfield Town thanks to Ryan Barnett’s well-taken winner on Saturday.
And, as far as Parkinson is concerned, both Wrexham and Okonkwo are only at the beginning of their journey together. Where the road takes them, only time will tell.
“You see it in training all the time that he makes difficult saves look easy at times with his athleticism and his size,” adds the experienced tactician. “Where can he go as a goalkeeper is difficult to say. But he is someone we rate very highly and we want him to continue to grow with us as a football club.
“Arthur produces big moments and big saves. They are defining moments, and that is why I was so keen to bring Arthur to the club.”
Former Arsenal youngster wants to improve in one area
Okonkwo himself admits that his 6ft 6ins frame and his ‘explosive’ talents gives him an in-build advantage over rival shot-stoppers.
The former Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz loanee is far from the finished article just yet, however. If he is to reach the very highest level of English football, Okonkwo knows he will need to develop further with the ball at his feet.
“The most challenging [element of my game], even until today, is kicking with my left foot,” Okonkwo explained a few weeks ago. “I am definitely improving but there’s still so much room for improvement. When I was really young, I couldn’t kick at all so I’ve got somewhere at least!
“You have to be really good with your feet now. The way the game is evolving, it’s going towards build-up, using the ball with your feet rather than your hands. So, yeah, it’s something to improve. You have to adapt to it.
“Every goalkeeper wants to get better at this, because this is the way the game is going now.”