Manchester City defender completes Etihad Stadium exit after nine-year stay | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium officials have signed off on a late exit from their Academy ranks with Michael Okeke bringing an end to a nine-year association to the club this week.

The departure marks the conclusion of a long spell within City’s youth system for the 19-year-old, who initially joined from Bolton Wanderers in 2016. Born in Manchester to a Hungarian mother and Nigerian father, Okeke went on to establish himself as a regular presence across the age groups at City.

Okeke’s progression through the Academy reflected the club’s structured development model, which has seen numerous youngsters either graduate to first-team involvement or secure moves elsewhere in pursuit of senior football.

His honours include winning the Under-18 Premier League title, before stepping up to the Under-21s where he played a key role in last season’s Premier League 2 triumph, featuring 22 times, scoring once, and assisting three more.

Despite his consistency, the pathway to senior opportunities at the Etihad Stadium proved difficult, particularly with Pep Guardiola’s squad stacked in defensive positions. Unlike the recent cases of Divine Mukasa and Stephen Mfuni, Okeke never received a senior call-up.

By the summer of 2025, he had dropped out of Ben Wilkinson’s Under-21s squad altogether, signalling that a departure was likely before the window closed.

As detailed by the Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall, Michael Okeke has now joined Hungarian top flight side Puksas Akademia after a nine-year stay with Manchester City, signing a deal on deadline day in pursuit of an opportunity in first-team football.

Okeke confirmed his move on social media on Wednesday, writing on Instagram, “Thank you to Manchester City for making my home for the past nine years. I’d like to thank the staff for believing in me since I first joined and my teammates for all the memories over the years.”

Okeke’s switch to Hungary provides a return to his maternal roots while opening up the chance to play senior football at the highest domestic level. His move mirrors the path taken by several other City Academy players in recent years who have sought opportunities abroad.

Looking ahead, the 19-year-old will be part of the Hungarian Under-21 setup this week for their international clash with Lithuania, with the new challenge at Puskás Akadémia likely to enhance his case for further national recognition.

For Manchester City, the exit represents another example of the club balancing player development with career sustainability, ensuring that long-serving youth prospects are given a platform to succeed even if not at the Etihad Stadium.