Canada win recruitment battle for Goodman as Crystal Palace loanee gets first senior call-up

The Canada Soccer Association have won the recruitment battle for Crystal Palace-owned, tri-national goalkeeper Owen Goodman, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Born in Essex, the Huddersfield Town shot-stopper is eligible to represent England through his father, Nigeria through his mother, and Canada, where he spent a decade of his youth.

Canada have emerged victorious in the race for the highly rated 21-year-old, handing him his first senior call-up for the upcoming friendly in Toronto against Ecuador, followed by a 2024 Copa América quarterfinal rematch against Venezuela in Florida.

Goodman is no stranger to the Canadian setup, having represented the nation at U20 level, debuting in a friendly against Costa Rica in April 2022.

He has also featured for England U20s, playing in friendlies against the United States and Romania in 2023.

The goalkeeper was previously invited to a Flying Eagles training camp in January 2023 ahead of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, but declined the invitation while awaiting a call-up to England Men's Elite League squad, which eventually materialised.

Goodman enjoyed an outstanding 2024-25 campaign, clinching the League Two Golden Glove award, and has continued his fine form this season with four clean sheets in six League One appearances for Huddersfield.

In recent years, Canada have enjoyed notable success in recruiting players of Nigerian descent at the expense of the Super Eagles.

Among those who have opted to represent the North American nation are former Nigeria U23 international Promise David, Villarreal’s Abuja-born forward Tani Oluwaseyi, Chelsea academy graduate Ike Ugbo and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: cpfc.co.uk

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