Stefano Okaka

Parma After failing to make a single appearance for Roma in the first half of the season, on 22 January 2012, Okaka joined Parma on loan until the end of the season. He scored his first goal on 7 March, the opener in a 2–2 against Fiorentina.

Okaka signed a permanent deal with Parma on 20 August 2012. The following day he was loaned to the newly promoted Serie B club Spezia where he made 38 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting six more. After his loan spell, he returned to Parma for the 2013–14 season, making only two Serie A matches as a substitute.

Sampdoria On 31 January 2014, Okaka was transferred to the fellow Serie A outfit Sampdoria on a permanent deal, with Nicola Pozzi moving the opposite direction. He made a good start to his Sampdoria career, scoring five times in 13 appearances in the 2013–14 season.

He scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season on 14 September 2014, a solo effort, in the 2–0 victory against Torino on 14 September 2014. On 10 June 2015, the owner and president of Sampdoria Massimo Ferrero told the Italian media that Okaka would be leaving the club.

Anderlecht

On 28 July 2015, Okaka joined Belgian side Anderlecht from Sampdoria for a reported fee of €3 million.

Watford / Udinese On 29 August 2016, Okaka joined Watford from Anderlecht on a five-year contract. He scored his first two goals on 10 December, against Everton in a 3–2 win. In his second season, after the departure of compatriot manager Walter Mazzarri, he was more used as a substitute; his one-goal came on opening day, opening a 3–3 draw with Liverpool at Vicarage Road.

On 8 January 2019, Okaka was loaned to Udinese for the rest of the Serie A season, having played just 47 minutes for Watford all season across three substitute appearances. Both clubs were owned by Giampaolo Pozzo. He scored six goals in 16 games as the Bianconeri avoided relegation, including braces in consecutive wins over Frosinone and SPAL in May.

Okaka's move to Udinese was made permanent on 2 September 2019, on a three-year contract.

International career After gaining Italian citizenship in 2007, Okaka was selected for the Italian Under-19 side. He made his debut for the Italy U-20 team in 2008, scoring two goals. On 17 November 2009, he made his debut with the Italy U-21 squad in a match against Luxembourg.

In April 2014, Okaka revealed he was in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation about the possibility of him switching allegiance to his parents' country and play with the Nigeria national football team already at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

However, Okaka was included in the Italy squad for their friendly against Albania on 18 November 2014 by manager Antonio Conte. He made his debut as a substitute, replacing Sebastian Giovinco in the second half, and scored the only goal of the match in the victory at Sampdoria's home ground, the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Personal life Okaka's twin sister, Stefania Okaka, is also a professional sportsperson. A volleyball player, she plays for Béziers Volley of the French first division and the Italy national team.

Career statistics Club

International

+ List of international goals scored by Stefano OkakaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1. 18 November 2014 Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy 1–0 1–0 Friendly