Representing for your country is something that a lot of players take extreme amounts of pride in – it doesn’t get any bigger than pulling on the shirt of your home nation and representing them.
Despite this, for some, the decision to represent their country is more difficult than is usual because they have more than one option. The likes of Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses have both opted to play for Nigeria despite both playing for the Three Lions at youth level and they won’t be the first, nor the last to do so.
Furthermore, with the current Nigeria team not exactly impressing, their FA may be on the look out for more talents.
So with that in mind, here’s a list of 14 players who are eligible to play for both England and Nigeria:
Tammy Abraham – Chelsea
The player who both England and Nigeria will be looking to snap up the most is Tammy Abraham. While he may not be a household name as of yet, his tally of 13 goals in 15 games for club and country (Bristol City & England under-21s) so far this term makes him a player to watch out for. The Chelsea-owned striker has been in red-hot form all season, previously making two Premier League appearances for the Blues last season.
Tolaji Bola – Arsenal
The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract back in January and has been a regular in the under-18s for over a year, while featuring occasionally for the under-19s and under-23s. Bola grew up in London and is a graduate of the Hale End academy. Despite having featured at under-16 level for England, if he continues to progress in his career, he could one day have a decision to make as to whether he wants to play for the Three Lions or Nigeria at senior level.
Jordon Ibe – Bournemouth
The ex-Liverpool winger has represented England at numerous youth levels and despite having already turned down an approach from the Nigerian FA, he could yet feature for them as he has yet to play for England. At just 20-years-old he has plenty of time to grow from potential to something special and if the English FA don’t come calling for him, he could yet make a U-turn and play for the Super Eagles.
Ademola Lookman – Charlton Athletic
Lookman, at just 18, potentially has massive career ahead and has had the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool monitoring him for a number of months. The 18-year-old is already a regular in the Charlton first-team despite his young age and could be in hot demand by the time his senior international career begins – with both nations eligible to select him.
Tiago Ilori – Liverpool
Perhaps a surprise name on the list, Tiago Ilori was born in England to a Nigerian father and a Portuguese mother. While he is highly-rated, the Liverpool starlet has yet to kick-start his club-playing career but has featured numerous times across different youth levels for Portugal.
Ola Aina – Chelsea
Ola Aina has represented England from under-16 to under-20 youth levels and is a fan favourite at Chelsea – being named on the bench for the senior team a number of times. With John Obi Mikel calling for Aina to play for his native Nigeria and the Southwark-born defender eligible, he will have a decision to make.
Arsenal’s talented young centre-forward heavily featured during pre-season and was tipped to be the man to lead the club’s front line for the 2016/17 season but he has, disappointingly, been unable to stake his claim in the side due to the signing of Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna, as well as the good form of Alexis Sanchez in the No.9 role. Akpom was pictured during the summer with Gunners legend Nwankwo Kanu on a visit to Nigeria and has the option of which nation to play for – featuring for England at no fewer than five different youth levels.
Joshua Onomah – Spurs
Onomah, at just 19, may well have registered his name amongst the interest of the English FA after a good debut performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the under-21s’ 5-0 win earlier this week. The Spurs midfielder has played at a number of different levels for but reportedly has Nigeria chasing after him to commit his future.
Dominic Iorfa – Wolves
At just 21, Iorfa has already made over 70 league appearances for Wolves and is one who both England and Nigeria will want to keep an eye on for the future. He has featured at a number of different levels for the British-based nation and as he reaches a senior age, will need to make a decision sooner or later regarding his future.
Dominic Solanke – Chelsea
Chelsea’s talented teenage forward is yet to make a single Premier League appearance for Chelsea but has featured for them in the UEFA Champions League and is a highly thought of player. Solanke has played at youth levels from under-16 to under-21 for England and has a Nigerian background.
Sammy Ameobi – Newcastle United, on loan at Bolton
The brother of Shola Ameobi, Sammy, has already opted to commit his future to playing for Nigeria but has yet to actually be selected for the senior national side. Having played for both Nigeria and England at youth level, he could yet switch again if selected by the Three Lions’ FA.
Ovie Ejaria – Liverpool
The 18-year-old midfielder has featured for the England under-20s but has previously trained and committed his future to Nigeria – so he is certainly yet to make his mind up regarding his future but is a player in demand. Ejaria is considered a member of the first-team squad and was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in the Premier League, making his debut for the side in the EFL Cup.
Tosin Adarabioyo – Manchester City
Adarabioyo has been praised by Pep Guardiola as a player who has a ‘big future’ at the club and after an excellnet period captaining the under-18s, was thrown into the thick of things last season in an FA Cup game against Chelsea. The teenager has represented England at a number of youth levels but is of Nigerian descent.
Sheyi Ojo – Liverpool
Ojo is a player who at just the age of 19, has come on leaps and bounds in his career and is arguably one of the reasons why Ibe felt the need to move onto Bournemouth. The winger has played for England at a number of different youth levels and is likely to be highly sought after by both nations as he approaches senior level.
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