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Former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has revealed that he came close to joining German giants Bayern Munich early in his career.

Okocha made the revelation during an appearance on the ObiOne Podcast, recalling that Bayern wanted to sign him in 1991 after he impressed during a tournament in Switzerland with the club’s youth team.

According to the Nigerian football legend, the proposed move collapsed because he had not yet turned 18 and German regulations prevented him from signing a professional contract at the time.

“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.

He explained that because his 18th birthday fell in August, he would have had to wait almost another year before becoming eligible for a professional contract.

Okocha said Bayern only offered him a verbal agreement, prompting him to request a written contract before making the move from Nigeria.

“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?’” he recalled.

After Bayern refused to provide a written agreement, Okocha returned and joined third-division side Borussia Neunkirchen.

He eventually attracted the attention of Eintracht Frankfurt, who signed him during the winter transfer window on a one-year amateur contract followed by a two-year professional deal.

Okocha went on to establish himself as one of the most celebrated Nigerian footballers of his generation, earning widespread recognition for his exceptional dribbling skills and creativity.

Jay Jay Okocha Reveals He Almost Joined Bayern Munich

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