Maduka Okoye Bio, Age, Height, Girlfriend, Stats, Career, Salary & Net Worth

Who is Maduka Okoye? | Biography

Maduka Emilio Okoye is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Udinese in Italy’s Serie A and the Nigeria national team. He was born on August 28, 1999, in Düsseldorf, Germany. Although he was born in Germany, he chose to represent Nigeria internationally because of his Nigerian heritage. His father is Nigerian, while his mother is German-French.

Okoye began his football journey with Fortuna Düsseldorf before spending several years in the Bayer Leverkusen academy. He later played for Fortuna Düsseldorf II and moved to Sparta Rotterdam in 2020. His outstanding performances in the Eredivisie earned him the club’s Player of the Season award. As a result, he attracted interest from clubs across Europe.

In 2022, Okoye joined Watford. However, he struggled for regular first-team football. Therefore, he transferred to Udinese in August 2023. Since arriving in Italy, he has developed into one of the club’s most reliable players. His quick reflexes, commanding presence, and excellent distribution have made him a key figure in Serie A.

Internationally, Okoye made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in 2019 during a friendly against Brazil. He later represented Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and remains among the country’s leading goalkeepers. Standing 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) tall, he combines height, agility, and composure.

In 2025, Okoye received a two-month suspension from the Italian Football Federation following a betting-related investigation. However, the court cleared him of match-fixing allegations and ruled only that he had breached sporting fairness regulations. He returned to action after serving the suspension and continued playing for Udinese.

As of 2026, Maduka Okoye remains Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper and continues to feature in discussions surrounding Nigeria’s goalkeeping future. Reports have also linked him with interest from other Serie A clubs following another strong campaign.

Maduka Okoye Age | How Old is Maduka Okoye?

Maduka Okoye is 26 years old as of 2026. He was born on August 28, 1999, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The Nigerian international goalkeeper developed through German academies before launching his professional career in Europe. Despite his young age, he has already represented Nigeria, played in the Africa Cup of Nations, and established himself at Udinese in Serie A. His experience, maturity, and leadership continue to strengthen his reputation as one of Nigeria’s top goalkeepers.

Maduka Okoye Height | How Tall is Maduka Okoye?

Maduka Okoye stands 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) tall, making him one of Nigeria’s tallest professional goalkeepers. His impressive height gives him a strong advantage during aerial duels, crosses, and set pieces. Moreover, his long reach and athleticism improve his shot-stopping ability in Serie A. The Udinese and Super Eagles goalkeeper combines his physical presence with quick reflexes, excellent positioning, and confident distribution, making him a dependable performer at the highest level.

Maduka Okoye Nationality

Maduka Okoye holds dual nationality: Nigerian and German. He was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to a Nigerian father and a German-French mother. As a result, he became eligible to represent both Germany and Nigeria. However, he chose to play for the Nigeria national team, making his senior debut in 2019. His dual citizenship reflects his European upbringing and strong Nigerian heritage, while his international career remains firmly committed to the Super Eagles.

Maduka Okoye Ethnicity

Maduka Okoye has a mixed ethnic background. His father is Nigerian, from the Igbo ethnic group, while his mother is German with French ancestry. He was born and raised in Düsseldorf, Germany, but proudly embraces his Nigerian heritage. Consequently, he chose to represent the Super Eagles instead of Germany. His multicultural background has shaped both his identity and his international football career, making him one of Nigeria’s most recognizable goalkeepers.

Maduka Okoye Girlfriend | Wife – Is Maduka Okoye married?

Maduka Okoye has been in a relationship with Dutch model and influencer Jelicia Westhoff. The couple shares a son, Isaiah Emil Okoye, although they have kept much of their family life private. However, their relationship has attracted public attention in recent years, and reports in 2026 indicated they had separated following a highly publicized dispute. Neither Okoye nor Westhoff has confirmed a new relationship, so he is not publicly linked to another girlfriend as of 2026. He continues to focus primarily on his career with Udinese and the Super Eagles.

Maduka Okoye Son | Children

Maduka Okoye has one child, a son named Isaiah Emil Okoye. He shares Isaiah with Dutch model and influencer Jelicia Westhoff. Although the couple occasionally shares family moments, they keep their son’s life largely private. Isaiah was born in October 2022, and his parents have chosen to protect him from excessive public attention. Despite his demanding football career with Udinese and the Super Eagles, Okoye has shown pride in his role as a father.

Maduka Okoye Family | Parents, Siblings, and Background

Maduka Okoye comes from a multicultural family that has strongly influenced his life and football career. He was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to a Nigerian Igbo father and a German-French mother. His parents supported his football ambitions from a young age. However, Okoye keeps their identities private, and their names are not publicly disclosed. He also has siblings, although he rarely shares details about them. Maduka is widely reported to be a cousin of Nigerian music stars Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square through his father’s family, highlighting his strong connection to his Nigerian roots.

Maduka Okoye and Cardi B | Are They Dating? The Truth Behind the Viral Photos

Maduka Okoye and Cardi B became a viral topic after they attended the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Show during Paris Fashion Week. Photos and videos showed the Udinese and Super Eagles goalkeeper chatting and sitting near the Grammy-winning rapper. Consequently, social media users quickly fueled dating rumors. However, there is no credible evidence that Okoye and Cardi B are romantically involved. Reports indicate they simply interacted at the high-profile fashion event, which also featured other celebrities and athletes. Neither Okoye nor Cardi B has commented on the speculation, and no reliable source has confirmed a relationship. Instead, the moment highlighted Okoye’s growing international profile beyond football, especially after his recent surge in global popularity.

Maduka Okoye Allegations Explained | The Truth About the Betting Investigation

Maduka Okoye faced allegations in 2025 over suspicious betting activity linked to a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio in March 2024. Investigators examined unusual bets predicting that Okoye would receive a yellow card for time-wasting during the match. Consequently, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) opened disciplinary proceedings. In July 2025, the Federal Tribunal cleared Okoye of match-fixing and sporting fraud allegations.

However, it ruled that he had violated Article 4 of the Sporting Justice Code, which covers the principles of fairness and integrity in sport. As a result, he received a two-month suspension at the start of the 2025–26 season. Okoye denied wrongdoing throughout the investigation, and his legal team maintained that he never manipulated the match. He returned to action after serving the suspension and continued his professional career with Udinese.

Maduka Okoye Stats 2026 | Career Appearances, Clean Sheets, Saves, and Super Eagles Record

Maduka Okoye has built an impressive record for both Udinese and the Nigeria national team. During the 2025–26 Serie A season, he made 30 appearances and kept 10 clean sheets. Moreover, he recorded 81 saves and conceded 37 goals across 2,617 league minutes. His consistent performances helped establish him as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper. Across his Serie A career, Okoye has made 76 appearances and registered 19 clean sheets. Internationally, he has earned 21 caps for the Super Eagles since making his debut in 2019. His strong reflexes, aerial ability, and composure continue to make him one of Nigeria’s leading goalkeepers and a dependable presence in European football.

Maduka Okoye Salary 2026

Maduka Okoye earns an estimated gross salary of €900,000 per year at Udinese. That equals approximately €17,308 per week, excluding performance bonuses. His current contract runs until June 30, 2028, providing financial stability during his Serie A career. Although the exact figures are not officially confirmed by the club, multiple football salary databases report similar estimates. In addition to his club salary, Okoye also earns income through endorsements and sponsorships. His growing reputation with Udinese and the Super Eagles could increase his future earnings.

Maduka Okoye Net Worth 2026

Maduka Okoye has an estimated net worth of between $2.5 million and $3 million as of 2026. His wealth comes primarily from his professional football career with Udinese and the Nigeria national team. Moreover, he earns additional income through endorsement deals, sponsorships, and commercial partnerships. Okoye reportedly earns around €900,000 per year in salary at Udinese, which has significantly boosted his career earnings. As his market value and international profile continue to grow, his net worth is expected to increase in the coming years.

Biography Summary