Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has switched allegiance from England to the United States, FIFA has confirmed. The New York-born 21-year-old, who is currently on loan at French club Reims, has represented England at Under-21s level but has opted to play his senior international football for the country of his birth. A FIFA spokesperson told the PA news agency said: The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved. Balogun revealed the decision was a no-brainer after US Soccer had confirmed the switch. He told US Soccers official website: My decision to represent the United States came together with my family.In the end, it became a no-brainer, but for sure its just something I wanted to do and it feels like Im at home here.To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. Im very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful. The news comes just weeks before England are due to launch their European Under-21 Championship finals campaign in Georgia and Romania. Balogun has made 13 appearances for Lee Carsleys side, but withdrew from the squad in March due to injury. Having been born in America, Balogun moved to England when he was two years old and also qualifies for Nigeria through his parents. Qualifying players are allowed to switch associations before they have played a competitive match for a nations senior team. Balogun has made 10 first-team appearances and scored two goals for the Gunners, and spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at Sky Bet Championship Middlesbrough. He has also made a name for himself in Ligue 1 this season with 19 goals in 34 appearances to date.The post Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun’s switch to represent the United States is approvedbyFIFA as he snubs England and Nigeria appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun’s switch to represent the United States is approved  by FIFA as he snubs England and Nigeria
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has switched allegiance from England to the United States, FIFA has confirmed. The New York-born 21-year-old, who is currently on loan at French club Reims, has represented England at Under-21s level but has opted to play his senior international football for the country of his birth. A FIFA spokesperson told the PA news agency said: The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved. Balogun revealed the decision was a no-brainer after US Soccer had confirmed the switch. He told US Soccers official website: My decision to represent the United States came together with my family.In the end, it became a no-brainer, but for sure its just something I wanted to do and it feels like Im at home here.To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. Im very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful. The news comes just weeks before England are due to launch their European Under-21 Championship finals campaign in Georgia and Romania. Balogun has made 13 appearances for Lee Carsleys side, but withdrew from the squad in March due to injury. Having been born in America, Balogun moved to England when he was two years old and also qualifies for Nigeria through his parents. Qualifying players are allowed to switch associations before they have played a competitive match for a nations senior team. Balogun has made 10 first-team appearances and scored two goals for the Gunners, and spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at Sky Bet Championship Middlesbrough. He has also made a name for himself in Ligue 1 this season with 19 goals in 34 appearances to date.The post Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun’s switch to represent the United States is approvedbyFIFA as he snubs England and Nigeria appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
