Tottenham LB of Nigerian descent Udogie will not be cap-tied to Italy even if he plays against Malta, England

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie has received his first ever call-up to the Italian senior national team - a reward for his fine start to the season at the north London club.

Udogie has been ever-present for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this term and has registered two assists. 

The left-back is part of the Azzurri squad for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Malta and England.

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Udogie will not be cap-tied to the Italians even if he participates in the two competitive matches against the Island Nation and Three Lions, meaning the door is still open for him to play for the Super Eagles. 

FIFA's eligibility rules state that a player can play up to three matches at senior level and switch his international allegiance to another country provided the three games were played before he turned 21.

Assuming Udogie is given game time by manager Luciano Spalletti in Italy's next four internationals, the Tottenham Hotspur number 38 will become cap-tied to his country of birth on November 20, 2023, against Ukraine in a 2024 European Championship qualifier. 

Although he is eligible to represent the Nigerian and Italian national teams, Udogie and his camp have publicly stated that the player's international future lies with the European giants, rather than the three-time African champions. 

Born in Verona, Italy, Udogie has not been to Nigeria since he was two years old. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com 

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