Head of Talent DBU insists Arsenal striker of Nigerian descent Obi won't be convinced to play for Denmark

Danish Football Association's Head of Talent, Kenneth Heiner-Møller has underlined that the Danish Federation will not convince Arsenal striker Chido Obi to pledge his international future to the Scandinavian nation.

By virtue of being born to a father who is a citizen of Nigeria, Obi qualifies to represent the Nigerian national teams including the Golden Eaglets. 

Obi was invited to play for Denmark and England youth teams back in February but chose to link up with the Young Lions, playing two friendlies against Cyprus and Scotland. 

The 15-year-old has now returned to the Danish youth team setup and would become provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth with an appearance against Lithuania on Wednesday in an U17 Euro qualifier. 

Obi is widely regarded as the top talent for his age group at the Arsenal academy and enhanced his reputation by scoring a hat-trick in his first competitive start for the Gunners U18s last month. 

Heiner-Møller clarified that the Danish Football Association are not going out of their way to ensure that Obi remains a Danish player in the eyes of Fifa.

Speaking to Campo last week, he said: "We have the approach at DBU that we will not try to convince anyone that they should play for the Danish national team. You have to want to. If you want to represent another country, that's fine.

"When Chido was selected at that time (for the English U16 national team back in February, ed.), I had a talk with him and his father, where I said that "try and listen here, of course you have to try . You've lived in England for so long that I won't talk you into anything. Let's talk on the other side after you've left.

"We will not take Chido out if he wants to play for England. But if he wants to play for Denmark, it would probably be a shame not to select him."

Former FC Copenhagen youth teamer Obi has agreed a scholarship deal with Arsenal ahead of the 2024-2025 season

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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