Nicknamed 'Tico', Okonkwo left Bucs in 2007 to join Swiss side FC Zurich and he last played for Al Kharaitiyat SC in Qatar before returning to the back-to-back treble champions.
"Well, you know what they say, Once a Pirate always a Pirate," Okonkwo says.
"This is a club which has been very close to my heart; even when I was playing overseas I always kept contact with the chairman [Irvin Khoza] to find out how he and the club were doing."
However, the 30-year-old admits that playing for the club again won't be an easy stroll in the park - after all, he has been away for five years.
"To come back to Pirates after five years playing abroad will be challenging for a number of reasons. For starters, the team I will be joining will be completely different to the team I left behind in 2007. So although I've played here before it will be like joining a new club but I look forward to the challenge.
"I am really looking forward to playing my first game in front of the Pirates supporters. I enjoyed playing in front of them because they were always there when I needed the support," Okonkwo concludes.
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