Charlton Athletic have secured Nigeria international Arthur Okonkwo on a season-long loan from Wrexham, the English Championship club confirmed on Thursday.

The 6ft 6in goalkeeper becomes the eighth summer arrival at The Valley, following the signings of Ivan Mesík, Billy Koumetio, Karlan Grant, Danny McNamara, Millenic Alli, Nathaniel Chalobah, and Timothy Ouma.

Okonkwo expressed his enthusiasm after completing the move: "I'm happy to be here and I'm ready to go. Coming here, it's another season where I really want to do well and improve again. Speaking to the manager, that's what he wants me to do here — not only to do well, but to improve as a goalkeeper."

"It's a great group. They've welcomed me really well and I can't wait to get to know them even more," he added.

From Arsenal to Charlton via a remarkable journey

Born in Camden, Okonkwo came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and signed his first senior contract with the Gunners in the summer of 2021. Loan moves followed at Crewe Alexandra and Austrian outfit Sturm Graz, where he won the Austrian Cup.

He then joined Wrexham on loan before making the move permanent in June 2024, having played a key role in their promotion to League One. The stopper continued to thrive for the Red Dragons as they secured back-to-back promotions, finishing second in 2024/25, before narrowly missing out on the Championship play-offs last term.

On the international stage, Okonkwo has earned two caps for Nigeria, having made his debut during the Super Eagles' Unity Cup triumph at The Valley this summer — the same ground where he will now ply his trade.