England Make First Move For Nigeria-Eligible Olabade Aluko

England U20 coach Ben Futcher has extended a late invitation to Leicester City’s talented defender, Olabade Aluko, for their friendly against Switzerland on Friday.

Observers see the move as an attempt to secure his international future ahead of Nigeria.

The 19-year-old right-back, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, has already joined the squad at St. George’s Park and will make his debut for the Young Lions this week.

Aluko replaces Rangers’ Jayden Megoma, another player of Nigerian descent, who withdrew due to injury.

Aluko’s inclusion highlights the growing competition between England and Nigeria for dual-national talents.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) previously invited the youngster to train with the Flying Eagles before the last FIFA U20 World Cup, but he missed the camp because of club duties with Leicester City.

A product of Leicester’s academy, Olabade Aluko has already made history at the club.

He became the youngest player of Nigerian descent to feature in a Premier League match for the Foxes at 18 years and 176 days, breaking Wilfred Ndidi’s previous record.

Nigeria will be keeping a close eye, hoping to convince the promising defender to represent his ancestral homeland in the future.