Lookman can’t wait to represent Nigeria after switch from England
Ademola Lookman expresses his delight following FIFA approval to grant him the permission to switch from the Three Lions to the Super Eagles.
Ademola, speaking for the first time after the world football governing body granted his wish, reveals his delight on the decision through his official twitter page.
The 24-year old plays for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, but currently on loan at Leicester City in the EPL. Lookman has scored three goals so far for the Foxes in 15 appearances.
The former Everton player request to switch from England has been submitted since January 2020, but approved two days ago by FIFA.
Lookman took to his twitter page to express his joy for the approval, and gives gratitude to the Nigeria Football fans for the warm welcome.
“Delighted to announce that FIFA has approved my Nationality switch. Thank you for the warm welcome and I can’t wait to put on the Super Eagles shirt and represent the country @NGSuperEagles”
Delighted to announce that FIFA has approved my Nationality switch. Thank you for the warm welcome and I can’t wait to put on the Super Eagles shirt and represent the country @NGSuperEagles 🇳🇬🦅 pic.twitter.com/l9TaIRM873
— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) February 11, 2022
Nigeria has earlier approached the Leicester city forward to switch allegiance to Nigerian in 2017 through the former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr. He however turned down the offer.
He represented England U20 team in the 2017 Fifa U20 World Cup. He scored three goals in that competition, two against Costa Rica in the round of 16, and one goal against Italy in the semi-final.
England went on to win the competition after defeating Venezuela, 1-0 in the final.
He was included in the Nigeria suad provision suad for Cameroon 2021 with the hope that the process would have been completed before the tournament starts.
NFF released a statement to exonerate Eguavoen who some people believed was responsible for the former Everton player removal from the 28 man squad for Cameroon 2021.
“The Nigeria Football Federation has stated categorically Ademola Lookman of Leicester City of England has not yet been cleared by world football body, Fifa to represent Nigeria at international level. The process for his switch is ongoing,” NFF clarified in a statement.
“It is therefore incorrect for any medium to claim that interim head coach, Austin Eguavoen is the one who axed the player from Nigeria’s final list of 28 for the Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.
“However, his name was included in the initial provisional list with the belief that the process would have been completed before the commencement of Afcon.”
