Lookman's cousin who plays for Middlesbrough opts to represent Nigeria, inspired by Iheanacho

Talented Middlesbrough forward Hazeem Bakre has chosen to represent the Nigeria national team, even though he is eligible to play for his country of birth England at international level.

Hazeem comes from a footballing family—his twin brother, Halim Bakre, formerly played for Shrewsbury Town, and his cousin is none other than the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman

Singed from Huddersfield Town last summer, Bakre had a breakout 2024-2025 season, earning a nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for October 2024.

The 19-year-old ended the campaign as Middlesbrough U21s top scorer, netting seven goals in eleven Premier League 2 matches.

Born in south-east London in 2005, he qualifies to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian parents. 

When asked to reveal where his international future lies, Bakre told allnigeriasoccer.com: "I'm eligible to play for Nigeria, I always wanted to play for Nigeria from young. I want to represent my country, and obviously show people how good I am.

"Representing my country is always a young boy's dream, to showcase what I can do as well, which is I why I want to play for my own country Nigeria.

"I'm just waiting for the opportunity to do so but hopefully in the future I will be able to be called up for Nigeria, that would be a dream for me."

Bakre revealed that he draws inspiration from Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough, and expressed his desire to emulate the striker.

"A player I grew up looking up to is Kelechi Iheanacho who is currently at Middlesbrough. He is a top player, you can see what he has done over his career, being at Leicester City and Manchester City.

"What he did at Leicester City is remarkable and now on loan at Middlesbrough. I am trying to replicate his goalscoring records over the years.

"He's a player I have always been watching and taking things from to implement in my game as well."

Bakre enjoyed loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge and Darlington this season, gaining experience in men's football with the two non-league clubs and scoring his first senior goal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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