Brighton starlet, who models his game after Van Dijk & Kyle Walker, open to representing Nigeria

Brighton & Hove defender Odeluga Offiah has not yet decided the country he would pledge his international allegiance to and clarified that he is not eligible to represent the Ghanaian national team.

The 18-year-old can suit up for the Super Eagles through his mom and dad, who originally hail from Nigeria, and England, where he was born.

Offiah is edging closer to forcing his way into the first team of Brighton & Hove, having trained with the squad on multiple occasions.

Seagulls manager Graham Potter handed the highly-rated Anglo-Nigerian teenager his professional debut off the bench in a Carabao Cup second round clash against Cardiff City on August 24, and he was a reserve option in a third round tie vs Swansea City five days ago.

"I was born in London and I can play for England or Nigeria. My parents are both Nigerian," said Offiah to allnigeriasoccer.com.

"I haven't been contacted by the English FA and Nigerian Federation but I'm am open to play for both countries at this moment in time.

"I felt immensely proud that I was able to make my debut and hope for many more involvements with the first team."

Capable of playing as a central defender and fullback, Offiah has cited Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and Manchester City's England international Kyle Walker as his role models.

"My preferred position is right back but I have played centre back for a while so am I very open to playing there as well.

"My qualities as a defender would be my speed and my 1v1 defending.

"A defender I model my game on is van Dijk. He's an immense centre back who is also comfortable on the ball.

"Another defender I model my game on is Kyle walker as he is also very quick and able to defend 1v1 brilliantly," Offiah added.

On his targets for the remainder of the season, he said : "My targets for the seasons is trying to improve all areas of my game and to push into the first team squad."

Odeluga Offiah, the nephew of Rugby League legend Martin Offiah, has been on the books of Brighton & Hove since September 2017 after he was poached from Bromley.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel