'I'd love to' - English-born West Ham midfielder who admires Iwobi, Ndidi keen on representing Nigeria

Highly-rated West Ham United midfielder Tyron Akpata says he is keen on representing the Nigeria national teams even though he is eligible to play for England, where he was born and raised. 

Akpata is eyeing a call-up to the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

The 18-year-old joined West Ham at U15 level and signed a scholarship deal in June 2022 before inking his first professional contract in the summer of 2024.

Blessed with leadership qualities, the Dagenham-born player captained the Hammers U18s squad in the FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League last season. 

On the back of his outstanding performances for West Ham U18s, he was promoted to the development squad on a full-time basis for the 2024-2025 season and has gone on to make nine appearances in the Premier League 2, notching two assists.

Although central midfield is his preferred position, he offers versatility, being able to play as an attacking midfielder, second striker, left winger or left-back.

When questioned about a potential call-up to the Flying Eagles, Akpata told allnigeriasoccer.com: "I was born in England but my family heritage is Nigerian and of course it’d be an honour to represent my heritage country. 

"To grasp the international stage for a country is something I’d love to."

Akpata has cited three Premier League stars who wear Nigeria's colours as his role models, including Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi and Fulham's Alex Iwobi.

"I like Iwobi, Ndidi, Bassey as part of the group of players that come from England and relish the chance of playing for Nigeria."

In response to where he envisions himself in five years, Akpata stated: "I want to be playing first team football and international football as well as enjoying my time playing football week in week out at the highest level in England or in another country."

Off the pitch, Akpata is also very intelligent, having achieved the highest possible marks in his studies among the 12 scholars in the 2022-2024 cohort.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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