The arrival of Nigerian-born striker, Stefano Chuka Okaka at Udinese of Italy has set bolts of excitement through the club, and the Udine-based side’s technical director, Daniele Prade is not left out.
Sports247.ng reports that Prade is happy that the Serie A side have been able to hook Okaka on loan from Watford of England, with a view that he can help them escape relegation with a rain of goals.
Okaka joins Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong at the club that once paid the wages of Christian Ndubuisi Obodo, Odion Jude Ighalo and Isaac Success, with high expectations that he can bring his vast level of experience to bear on their hunt for survival goals.
Okaka has been capped four times by Italy and has already played for several teams in the land of his birth, including Roma and Sampdoria.
He is now seen as the man to bell the cat for Udinese, who are 15th in the Serie A standings, five points clear of the drop zone.
Prade said: “Okaka is a strong point physically, good at defending the ball and getting the team up. Stefano is strong in the air and inside the penalty area.”
This is despite the fact that the 29-year-old Okaka has only made three appearances for The Hornets this season – and all have come from the substitutes’ bench.
However, Watford boss, Javi Gracia spoke in glowing terms about Okaka and praised the former Italy international for his professional attitude, despite his lack of first-team minutes.
Gracia said: “In all the time he has been with us, he has had an excellent attitude with excellent commitment. A top class man and I wish him the best because he deserves it.”
