Arsenal star makes MAJOR United States switch

Tom Hancock

• 16 May 2023 15:39 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has finally ended speculation over his international future by deciding to represent the USA.

Born in New York, the 21-year-old has played for both the USA and England at youth level – while he also would have been eligible to represent Nigeria through is parents.

Balogun seems to have made his mind up about his international future, though, with FIFA confirming on Tuesday that they had approved a request from the United States Soccer Federation for him to change his allegiance from England to the States.

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It’s been a breakout season for Balogun, who is enjoying his first sustained taste of top-level football on loan at Reims in Ligue 1.

He’s scored 19 goals in 36 appearances for Will Still’s side; only four players – among them Kylian Mbappe and ex-Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette – have found the net more times in the French top flight this term.

Balogun’s form had prompted talk of an England call-up – but manager Gareth Southgate never included the former Middlesbrough loanee in a Three Lions squad.

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Southgate's clear stance

Speaking about Balogun in March, Southgate said: “It is up to the plater to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and he feels he can push his way into our squad?”

However, Southgate stressed that he wouldn’t call any player up to the senior squad simply to prevent them declaring for a different country.

He continued: “Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don’t want them to go somewhere else.”