Manchester United Starlet Explains Why He Chose Nigeria Over England

Manchester United wonderkid Tosin Kehinde has explained why he has opted to represent Nigeria at international level ahead of England where he was raised.

As previously reported by this website, the central midfielder and his representatives held talks with Nigeria Football Federation Vice President Shehu Dikko, Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi and manager Gernot Rohr at the Super Eagles Crowne Plaza Hotel in London before the national team's friendly vs Serbia.

''Nigeria has always been a part of me. I was born there. My whole family are Nigerian. I come from a very strong Nigerian background so the influence has always been around me," Kehinde told BBC Sport.

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and Chelsea duo Victor Moses and Ola Aina were eligible to represent the Three Lions before they were persuaded to play for the Super Eagles, and Kehinde is hoping to follow in their footsteps.

''When you are growing up, when you see players like Jay Jay Okocha, how good he was and the current crop of players such as Alex Iwobi and Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, the desire to get the opportunity to play for Nigeria has always been there really," added Kehinde.

The 19-year-old Kehinde has been on the books of Manchester United since the age of 13.

Igho Kingsley