Transfer: ‘I didn’t do my research’ – Jay Jay Okocha opens up on leaving PSG for Bolton Wanderers

Jay Jay Okocha, the former Super Eagles midfielder, revealed in an interview with John Obi Mikel on the Obi One Podcast how he left Paris Saint-Germain to join Bolton Wanderers. Okocha was asked to explain how Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce, convinced him to make the move from Paris to Bolton. The Nigerian captain stated, "It came at the right time, and to be honest, I didn’t do my research."

He added, "You know, when you think that everywhere in England is nice. Especially when you were told that Bolton is just 10–15 minutes away from Manchester." Okocha had been to London and played against Manchester United, so when he heard Bolton was just 10 or 15 minutes away from Manchester, he thought it was the same level. He was invited to negotiate and picked up from Manchester Airport, driven straight to the stadium, which he considered beautiful.

He had a tour of the stadium, hotel, etc. However, the training ground was not shown to him. Only after he signed and resumed did he realize it was a cabin with a limited number of people allowed in the shower at a time. He reflected, "I said, ‘Oh, Jay-Jay, what are you doing here?’ So, when I came, I left my family in Paris. But, you know, as a football person, I could live anywhere."