Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun can finally ditch England for United States following FIFA’s approval of USMNT’s request to switch national eligibility.
The 21-year-old, who is currently on loan from Arsenal to French side Reims, was born in the US to Nigerian parents but raised in England.
Balogun has previously played for England Under-21s but withdrew from the squad in March due to injury. He will not play in the upcoming European Under-21 Championship.
A Fifa spokesperson said: “The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved.”
Balogun has scored 19 Ligue 1 goals in 34 appearances for Reims this season.
Balogun was on the field for the U.S. men’s under-18 level. Now, he’s “coming home” to “make history,” he said in a video he posted on Twitter.
“To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know,” he said. “I’m very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful.”
The USMNT head coach expressed he was “delighted” for Balogun to represent the country and described him as an “extremely talented player” and “good man” who “values his U.S. roots.”
He has previously said he would be open to representing Nigeria but has decided to become available for the United States – a choice he was eligible to make having not won a senior England cap.