Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Muhammed Yavuz Okocha (born 14 August 1973) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the best African players of all time.

Style of play
A quick, talented, and skilful playmaker, Okocha usually played as an attacking midfielder, and is widely considered by certain pundits internationally as the best Nigerian footballer ever, and as one of the best African players of all time.

He is still remembered by Fenerbahçe fans as one of the legends of the club and country. Okocha was known for his confidence and trickery with the ball, technique, creativity, flair, close control, and dribbling skills, as well as his turn of pace and his use of feints, in particular the stepover and his trademark turns.

Due to his skill and nickname, he was described as being 'so good that they named him twice' (a line immortalised in a terrace chant while Okocha played for Bolton Wanderers).[34] Despite his ability, however, he was also known for being inconsistent.

Personal life
Okocha is from Anioma, a subgroup of Igbo ethnic derivative. His older brother Emmanuel is also a former footballer who played for the Nigerian national team. He has a nephew, Alex Iwobi, who plays for Everton and Nigeria.

The Catalans are slowly getting back to their feet after the exhausting Lionel Messi exit saga, which ended with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner agreeing to stay on at Barcelona and acknowledging that new coach Ronald Koeman indeed has new ideas for the club. One of the signings Barca is expected to make under Koeman is Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum.

 

With the strong interest from Koeman, Wijnaldum is now in advanced talks with Barcelona and is set to sign a three-year deal after the Dutch midfielder agreed personal terms with the club, Sport reported.

 

According to the report, Wijnaldum rejected Liverpool’s contract extension offer amid Thiago Alcantara’s arrival, which would have seen Wijnaldum's playing time reduced. The 29-year-old is up for new challenges and a club like Barca would be a good fit.

 

Barcelona, meanwhile, just needs some “minor details to be worked out with Liverpool.” The Catalan club is hoping to pay around €15 million ($17.8 million) plus variables, although the final figure is expected to exceed €20 million ($24 million).

 

The Dutch manager, who made Wijnaldum a key member of his national side in the past, had endorsed the player’s move to the Barcelona board. The new Barcelona coach is said to be an admirer of Wijnaldum’s work rate and considered him to as a player to fill the void in the midfield even before Ivan Rakitic departed the club.

 

Georginio Wijnaldum

Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum is set to make his Liverpool debut after joining from relegated Newcastle United.