Released Arsenal youngster keeps clean sheet in 2nd trial game | OneFootball

Though still officially a trialist, former Arsenal academy goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo appears to be set to join West Bromwich Albion.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arsenal academy goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo was among a number of players the club confirmed they were releasing earlier this summer, but it seems Okonkwo is now on the verge of signing for a new club.

The goalkeeper has been playing for West Bromwich Albion on a trial basis, making his first competitive appearance in a 3-1 Premier League 2 defeat to Aston Villa last Monday.

The Premier League then updated their official website to list Okonkwo as an West Brom u21 player, leading many to believe the deal had been made official.

Photo via Hitchin Town FC on Twitter

Yet a few days later, when Okonkwo was named in the West Brom u21 starting lineup once again for a game against Crystal Palace, the club’s official social media accounts still named him as a “trialist”.

The deal evidently wasn’t done then, though Okonkwo keeping a clean sheet in the subsequent 0-0 draw can’t have hurt his chances.

It doesn’t matter that the transfer window has closed, as Okonkwo is a free agent. If and when West Brom hand him a full-time contract, he can sign it and join the club officially.

Photo via Okonkwo on Instagram

West Brom are next in action on September 19th against Fulham. With another two weeks to run until that game, you’d hope Okonkwo’s situation will be formally sorted one way or another by then.