FOLARIN BALOGUN has switched international allegiances from England to the USA.
The on-loan Arsenal star has enjoyed a break season on loan at Reims.
He has scored 19 goals from 34 games in Ligue 1 this season, a tally which puts him above the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Alexis Sanchez.
But now Three Lions Under 21 star has opted to represent the United States ahead of their hosting of the 2026 World Cup.
On Tuesday, Fifa revealed it had approved a request from the US Soccer Federation to change the strikers national eligibility.
Balogun, 21, was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents who lived in London.
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This means he was also eligible to play for Nigeria.
As well as progressing through the ranks of England’s Youth teams, Balogun has played four games for the United States Under-18 team.
The decision to switch comes just five weeks before the Under-21 European Championships, hosted by Romania and Georgia.
Though Fifa rules allow a player to change their eligibility before playing a competitive game for their nation’s senior side.
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The FA also had to consent to Balogun’s eligibility change.
Balogun will now be available for selection for the summers’ CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will be played between June 24 and July 16.
On his heritage, Balogun previously said: “London is my city, it’s where I grew up, where my friends are, and if people ask me where I’m from, I say I’m English.
“But, yes, I am a mixture of all these cultures.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
