‘Many clubs wanted me’ - FIFA banned Nigerian returnee reveals after winning U17 World Cup with Osimhen and Chukwueze

The Nigerian international was accused of using illegal substances called Clostebol, leading to a FIFA ban.

The player was initially banned for a four-year ban, but after an appeal, it was reduced to two years.

Following the end of his two-year ban, he is back on the pitch and currently on loan to Italian side Bologna.

Speaking to Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Okwonkwo said, "In 2015 we won the U17 World Cup with Nigeria. Osimhen and Chukwueze were there too, many clubs wanted me. I chose the rossoblù."

When quizzed about his ban that ended in February 2024, he responded, "It's a closed topic that I don’t want to talk about. For me, only the present exists."

The forward played five games, winning the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup with Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.

The Abuja Football College product chose to launch his professional career at Bologna, despite being linked with numerous European clubs after the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Okwonkwo's most productive period as a professional footballer was during his time at CF Montréal, a Canadian Major League Soccer team, where he scored 10 goals in 50 appearances.