Wrexham and former England U-18 goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, has revealed how a call from Hollywood superstar, Ryan Reynolds helped to turn his season around, Soccernet.ng reports.
Okonkwo was born in 2001 and came through the ranks at Arsenal. He played for the U-18 team at just 15 and has been playing for the U-23 team since he turned 17.
Born in London, the 22-year-old featured for the England U-18 team four times but has not been able to add to his number of appearances for the Three Lions since then.
Okonkwo made thirty-six league appearances for Wrexham this season, keeping 14 clean sheets, and saving a penalty to help The Red Dragons gain promotion to the EFL League One.
Okonkwo was drafted into the team at the start of the season to replace the retired Fraser Forster, but he struggled. He revealed in an interview with the Athletic that a call from Marvel Superstar, Ryan Reynolds turned his season around.
“A number flashed up on my phone, saying, Los Angeles. I worked out pretty quickly it was either Rob or Ryan. They then said; You’ve been great, just keep doing what you’re doing. It was so good to get a call from your chairman, knowing he’s always behind you. You don’t get that at a lot of clubs,” the 22-year-old told the Athletic in quotes revealed by The Mirror.
Okonkwo opted to switch his nationality to Nigeria after he was approached by the then Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, but he’s yet to be called up to the National team. He however revealed he won’t continue with Arsenal as his contract expires this summer.
“I went to say my goodbyes at Arsenal the other day. That was tough, knowing I won’t be there any more. I’d been there so long, but it does feel like the right time. The club is doing so well. You have to be one of the best to play for Arsenal. I have to follow my own career path and do what I need to do for myself. There are no hard feelings, we ended things very well. I can never be more grateful to the club for what they have given me,” the former Sturm Graz man added.
With a great relationship between Wrexham and Okonkwo, the League One side are exploring signing the Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper on a free transfer.
The club chairman, Ryan Reynolds, is a Hollywood actor famous for his roles in blockbuster movies like 6 Underground, Green Lantern and Deadpool.
Reynolds, alongside fellow actor, Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham officially in September 2023, and have been in charge of the club ever since. They’ve moved the club from the National League to the EFL League one in four years.