Manchester City's Tosin Adarabioyo enters talks with NFF about switching to Nigeria

MANCHESTER City centreback Tosin Adarabioyo has begun talks with Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) officials about switching his allegiance from England to enable him feature for the Super Eagles internationally.

Adarabioyo, 22, who is currently on loan with English Championship side Blackburn Rovers, has played for England at youth level and will need to switch his nationality via Fifa to feature for Nigeria. In the past, the defender has been uncertain about his international future at senior level but it appears he has now finally decided to switch his allegiance to Nigeria.

Over the last few days, Adarabioyo has begun talks with NFF officials. He has impressed this season for Blackburn Rovers and his form has caught the attention of Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, who has given his blessings to the NFF to speak with the defender.

Having aged beyond any of the youth teams, Adarabioyo can now feature for England if he is called up to the senior national team by Gareth Southgate. In the past, the defender who gladly acknowledges his Nigerian roots, refused to completely rule out a switch of allegiance to Nigeria, insisting that once he has a settled club career, he will decide.

Mr Rohr is searching for young defenders and he has already sounded out his assistants to speak with Tosin, who will most likely return to Manchester City next season and push for a spot in the first team. When his switch comes through, the defenders will be competing against the likes of William Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Kenneth Omeruo and Chigozie Awaziem for a starting shirt.