Folarin Balogun says he has not closed the door on playing for Nigeria at senior level

ARSENAL-owned striker Folarin Balogun has not ruled out the possibility of representing the Nigerian national team and playing for the Super Eagles in the near future as he is fast approaching having to make a decision on his international future.

Balogun, 21,  is a Hale End Academy graduate of Nigerian descent, born in New York City, making him eligible to represent the US as well as England and Nigeria. Having tied him down at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future, Arsenal sent Balogun out on loan to French side Stade de Reims on loan for the duration of the 2002/03 season.

Since moving to France, Balogun has flourished, scoring regularly and his form has attracted the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate. In June this year, Mr Southgate invited Balogun to train with the Three Lions senior squad as part of a long term plan to tie him down, aware of the fact that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is monitoring the player.

Only Nigeria has not capped Balogun at junior level as he has appeared for the US and England youth teams but now that he is maturing into a senior player, he has to decide who to play for at that level. Regarding his long-term future at Arsenal, Balogun has made it clear that his options are open despite having an existing contract with the Gunners until June 2025.

Balogun said: "Above everything, I feel English but I also have an American side because I have family in New York and I love going there. I have my grandmother and cousins in Lagos, Nigeria, even if I haven’t been there since I was very young.

 "My mother sometimes speaks to me in Yoruba and it is important to me. Just like my future at club level, I am not closing any doors regarding international selection. All options remain open."

 Balogun shares the same agent as Super Eagles players Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Josh Maja, Terem Moffi and Ola Aina. All of them have dual nationality but opted to play for Nigeria and the NFF will be hoping that Balogun follows suit.