12 November 2023 , 07:30
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Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been tipped for a bright future after signing on loan from Arsenal - and he's currently making a big impact at the Racecourse Ground.
The young goalkeeper signed on loan for Wrexham on transfer deadline day back in September. The Welsh club moved to bring in a new stopper following the surprise retirement of Ben Foster just two weeks into the season.
Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney helped guide Wrexham to promotion from the National League last season. In what was the American duo’s second full season at the helm of the Racecourse Ground, Reynolds and McElhenney achieved the mission of returning to the EFL after a 15-year absence.
READ MORE: Rob McElhenney had 'greatest day of life' as Hollywood stars watched Wrexham
The addition of Okonkwo was a late decision by Wrexham following the retirement of Foster. The veteran goalkeeper had signed a one-year extension with the Welsh club in July, only to call time on his playing career a month later.
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Reynolds and McElhenney acted quickly and decisively in the transfer market, as they have done regularly. So far, the decision to turn to Arsenal has paid off.
The goalkeeper has featured 10 times in all competitions for Wrexham, conceding just eight goals and keeping five clean sheets. He kept another clean sheet as they beat Gillingham in League Two this weekend.
Wrexham moved quickly to sign Okonkwo, who had loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Austrian second-division club Sturm Graz last season. He is yet to make an appearance for Arsenal's first team but has featured 19 times for the club’s Under-21 side.
The initial interest in signing Okonkwo came after Foster announced his retirement, as revealed by Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. The Welsh club’s boss explained how the club needed to move fast to secure the signature of Okonkwo amid interest from other teams across Europe.
"We spoke to Arsenal and Arthur's agent when Fozzy [Ben Foster] retired," Parkinson told reporters, via . "We only had about 10 days until the transfer window closed and Arthur was very high on the list but we didn't think it was going to be possible because he was potentially moving to Europe.
Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney helped guide Wrexham to promotion in 2022/23 (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)“We looked at other options but then we touched base again with Arsenal. I rang Arthur's agent and had a Zoom call with him, and then Aidan Davison (goalkeeping coach) followed it up with a chat with Arthur and his agent the next morning."
Parkinson was also quick to highlight how quickly Okonkwo has settled in following his move to Wales.
"We know he has got real potential," said Parkinson. "He came to us without much football behind him in pre-season but he has fitted in well with the lads. He has settled into the area, he has rented an apartment. He has been an important signing for us so far and I think he is going to get better."