'With all due respect to Nigeria he feels Italian' - Agent claims Tottenham star has made decision on int'l future

Italian intermediary Stefano Antonelli, who looks after Destiny Udogie, has claimed that the Tottenham Hotspur left-back has made a decision on his international future. 

Udogie was born in Verona to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to play international football for two-time European champions Italy and three-time African champions Nigeria.

The talented left-back has made quite an impression on Tottenham Hotspur supporters since returning to the club from a loan spell at Udinese, having bagged two assists in five Premier League starts. 

Udogie has played competitive matches for Italy's underage national teams and is provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth but remains eligible to represent the Super Eagles until he plays a cap-tying game for gli Azzurri.

The defender was on the radar of Italy's former coach Roberto Mancini and is being monitored by new boss Luciano Spalletti with a view to handing him a call-up for next month's 2024 European Championship qualifiers against Malta and England.

Stefano Antonelli has revealed that Udogie intends to continue playing international football for Italy and not the Nigerian national team. 

"When his uncle asked him which national team he would like to represent when he grew up between Nigeria and Italy, he always answered with the Azzurri," Antonelli told Gianluca Di Marzio's website. 

"Someone also expressed to us the fear that he might choose Nigeria, but it's not conceivable at the moment because he was born in Italy, in Verona, and feels Italian.

"With all due respect to a national team like the Nigerian one which has always participated in the World Cup and the African Cup, therefore, he is not denigrating anyone but simply feels totally Italian."

Udogie was named on Italy U21s roster for their internationals this month but withdrew from the squad due to illness.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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