David Kabiyesi with Agency Report
Arsenal striker, Folarin Balogun said his decision to pick United States ahead of England and Nigeria stemmed from a family decision.
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) confirmed on Tuesday that the Super Eagles prospect has switched national team allegiances from England to the United States.
The New York-born Balogun, who moved to England as a two-year-old, could have represented the United States, England and Nigeria, the country of his parents birth.
Although Balogun has played youth football for the United States, most of his representative career has been with England where he has been part of the Under-21 team.
FIFA rules allow players to switch nationality before they have played a full, competitive game for the senior national team.
“My decision to represent the United States, it came together with my family. We decided it would be the right thing for me, to represent the country I was born in,” Balogun said.
“In the end it became a no-brainer, but for sure, it’s just something I wanted to do and it feels like I’m at home here,” he added.
“To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I’m very proud and honored to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful,” he added.