Okocha talks about missed chance with Bayern Munich

Super Eagles legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has shared that Bayern Munich wanted to sign him in 1991. But the deal did not happen because he was not yet eligible to sign a professional contract, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

At that time, Okocha was 17 years old. He had caught Bayern's attention after playing for their youth team in a tournament in Switzerland. This led to the club showing interest in signing him.

However, he could not turn 18 until August. German rules meant Bayern could not offer him a professional contract until he became of age.

“I got an offer from Bayern Munich. I went with their youth team to a tournament in Switzerland, and after that, they wanted to sign me,” Okocha said on the Obi One Podcast.

“Bayern made me an offer, but it was only verbal because they said, ‘We can’t give you a professional contract until you turn 18.’

“I asked them, ‘Can you put it in writing on paper? Because I can’t come all the way from Nigeria to rely on a verbal contract. What if I get injured and you tell me to go home? I’ll have nothing?’”

After this, Okocha went back to Germany and signed with third-tier Borussia Neunkirchen. Later, Eintracht Frankfurt signed him during the winter transfer window.

He made a name for himself in the Bundesliga, playing 90 matches and scoring 18 goals for Frankfurt before joining Fenerbahce in 1996.

Looking back at the missed chance, Okocha said he was ready to wait for Bayern because of the club’s reputation at that time.

“I would have had to train with the professionals and play with the reserve team, but I was willing to take the risk because they were the biggest club in Germany,” he said.