'My parents are Nigerians' - Southampton-reared winger makes decision on his international future

Southampton youth team product Kazeem Olaigbe has made up his mind about the country to represent at senior level.

After four years at the Southampton Academy, the versatile winger returned to his homeland to sign a permanent deal with Jupiler Pro League side Cercle Brugge in the summer transfer window.

Born in Brussels , Olaigbe is eligible to represent  the national teams of Belgium, where he was born, and Nigeria through his parents.

The Royal Belgian Football Association are well-placed to secure the services of the talented forward, given that he has played for almost all Belgium's age-grade teams including the U15, U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21.

The former Belgium U17 skipper became provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth in October 2019 when he came off the bench in a European U17 Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Olaigbe has caught the eye in the U21 Euro qualifiers, scoring in three consecutive matches against Kazakhstan, Malta and Hungary.

The 20-year-old has insisted that he has pledged his international allegiance to Belgium which is not surprising, given that he has played for their youth teams. 

"My parents are Nigerians.  But I was born here, so I feel more Belgian and I see my future with the Devils. In any case, I am not aware of any interest from Nigeria," Olaigbe told RTBF., via Voetbal Belgie.

Olaigbe received one call-up for a first team game during his time at the St Mary's Stadium, against Swansea City in the FA Cup in January 2022.

He enjoyed loan spells at Ross County and Harrogate Town as a Southampton player.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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