Former Chelsea and Burnley star Ugochukwu agrees to acquire Nigerian passport

FORMER Chelsea and Burnley anchorman Lesley Ugochukwu has agreed to acquire a Nigerian passport in a development that will make him eligible to play for the Super Eagles and make him available for selection by head coach Eric Chelle.

Ugochukwu, 22, who has just completed a loan move from Burnley to Turkish side Galatasaray, was born in France to Nigerian parents and has represented the French at youth level. He is 22 now and has to make a decision about who he wants to feature for at senior level and after being snubbed by Les Bleus fort the 2026 World Cup, it appears that Ugochukwu is now ready to switch his allegiance to Nigeria.

Under to Fifa rules, Ugochukwu can still switch allegiances to Nigeria as he is yet to play a senior competitive game for France. Over the summer, he was in Nigeria, and was even spotted playing football with Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho in Owerri.

Now, reports have emerged that Ugochukwu  has started the process of acquiring his Nigerian passport which will make him a bonafide Nigerian. Once he gets his Nigerian passport, the next thing for the midfielder will be to switch his nationality via a formal application through world football governing body Fifa.

Originally a defensive midfielder, Ugochukwu is more of a box-to-box player, is physically strong, has composure on the ball and is a decent carrier. A former Rennes academy product, he also has a high work rate., which is likely to endear him to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.