Ademola Lookman switches international allegiance from England to Nigeria

The move sees the winger now set to star for the Super Eagles six years on from their first approach.

The 24-year-old had represented the Three Lions at youth level following his break through at Charlton Athletic, helping secure the country's first victory in the final of a global tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

But Nigeria had always been keen to get the attacker to represent his parents' homeland.

The Nigerian national team first approached the Peckham-raised player in 2017, but Lookman rejected that and four further offers with hopes of breaking into Gareth Southgate's side.

Speaking following rumours of the switch back in 2020, Lookman said: "I've not changed my mind on wanting to represent England."

However despite being given hope by the England boss back in 2018, the former Everton player's chances of making the break through have since dwindled.

Now, he has had his application to make the change in allegiance accepted by FIFA.

And he will join current Everton star Alex Iwobi as a member of the national team who once played for England at youth level.

The Super Eagles were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the round-of-16 despite winning their three group games in Cameroon, so the news of Lookman's switch will likely boost the mood of Gernot Rohr's side.

Lookman made a £16million transfer to RB Leipzig from Everton in 2019 but has spent the last two seasons in the Premier League, firstly with Fulham and now Leicester City.

On loan from the Bundesliga side at the King Power Stadium this season, the former Toffees man has recorded five goals and three assists in 22 appearances.

Lookman could make his first appearance for Nigeria in March in their World Cup qualifying third round match against Ghana.