'St Pauli youth spell and multifunctional' - Who is Walsall new boy Jid Okoke?

Here is everything you need to know about Okoke's career so far:

Youth spell at St Pauli

Born in Ahaus, Germany, Okeke started his academy career at St Pauli, before joining Oldham Athletic after moving to England at the age of 13. 

Okeke spent five years with Oldham and gained his first experience at senior level on a work experience loan at Stalybridge Celtic in February 2023. 

That summer, Okeke completed his switch to Stockport County and played alongside Harrison Burke during his temporary stay at Chester. 

"He is a really athletic full-back, who is very good 1v1, and highly thought of at Stockport ," Chester boss Callum McIntyre said at the time. 

Upon his return to Edgley Park, Okeke was named as an unused substitute in Stockport's 3-1 win over Walsall in January 2024. 

However, he would head out on loan once again, making 11 appearances, largely from right wing-back, at Hereford. 

He played every minute of his 10 appearances and scored his only goal with the fourth strike in Hereford's 4-1 win over Farsley Celtic. 

Okeke made his senior debut for Stockport in a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup in August 2024. 

Proving his versatility at Rochdale

The youngster soon joined South Shields on loan and impressed again to earn a recall and a subsequent loan switch to Rochdale in the National League. 

It was at Dale in particular that Okeke's versatility came to the fore, as he played at right wing-back, right centre-back, left wing-back and as a right winger. 

He scored on his Rochdale debut in a 4-1 demolition of Blackburn in the National League Cup, but injury curtailed an otherwise promising spell just two months later. 

Nonetheless, Okeke has continued his steady progression over the summer by starring twice for Stockport in the EFL Cup. 

Why have Walsall signed him?

Mat Sadler has been on the market to replace the injured left wing-back Mason Hancock, who has been ruled out with a dislocated knee for "four to six months". 

Vincent Harper has succeeded Hancock at left wing-back and Courtney Clarke has also filled in from the bench, but Walsall still looked incredibly thin in that area. 

Okeke can play a number of positions across the back-line and his versatility could prove crucial, especially if the injuries begin to mount up. 

For his own benefit, the more positions he can play, the more chances he is likely to receive at Walsall.