Former Super Eagles midfielder Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha says he came close to joining German giants Bayern Munich in 1991, but the move fell apart because he was not yet 18.
Speaking on the ObiOne Podcast, Okocha said Bayern became interested after he featured for their youth side at a tournament in Switzerland.
“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 German regulations prevented him from signing a professional contract because his 18th birthday came in August, beyond the required July deadline.
Okocha said Bayern could only make a verbal commitment, prompting him to seek a written agreement before eventually returning to Nigeria and signing for third-tier club Borussia Neunkirchen.
By the winter transfer window, Eintracht Frankfurt offered him a one-year amateur deal followed by a two-year professional contract.
