Stade De Reims forward, Folarin Balogun, is open to representing Nigeria after failing to commit his international future to England.
He is eligible to play for England and the USA.
Speaking to L’Équipe, the 21-year-old also didn’t commit his long-term future to his parent club, Arsenal.
Balogun’s current deal with the Gunners runs until 2025.
“Above everything, I feel English, but I also have an American side, because I have family in New York and I love going there. I have my grandmother and cousins in Lagos (Nigeria), even if I haven’t been there since I was very young. My mother sometimes speaks to me in Yoruba and it is important to me,” said Balogun.
“Just like my future at club level, I am not closing any doors regarding international selection. All options remain open.”
The young striker rarely featured for Mikel Arteta despite starring in the youth ranks, but he did make his first Premier League start on opening night last season in the 2-0 defeat to Brentford.
Balogun ended 2021/22 in the second tier with Middlesbrough and he’s now found his feet at Reims.
The striker has featured prominently for Reims this season and has now scored seven goals this season.
Balogun has played for England from U17-level through to the U21s. He has scored six goals in 11 goals for the latter. However, he has also featured four times for the United States U18 team, scoring twice in four appearances.
Credit: punchng.com
