![]() But yes, I am a mixture of all these cultures."īalogun's decision is a blow for England under-21s boss Lee Carsley, who is preparing for the U21 European Championships that get underway in Georgia and Romania next month. "London is my city, it's where I grew up, where my friends are, and if people ask me where I'm from, I say I'm English. There's obviously a special feeling for me there. I had a lot of fun and took the opportunity to walk around the area where the clinic I was born in is located. But I went back to New York last summer, during my holiday. Needless to say, I have no memory of that time. "But very soon after I was born, we all moved back to London. ![]() ![]() (Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) "My parents were on holiday there for a few months because we have family in New York.įolarin Balogun could immediately become a key player for the United States due to their lack of options up front. Balogun has played eight games for Arsenal in all competitions since making his debut in 2020, scoring twice in the 2020/21 Europa League campaign.īalogun addressed his future in an interview for Ligue 1's official website in November, in which he described England as his "home". The striker has enjoyed a fine campaign in France after a brief spell with Middlesbrough in the Championship last season, scoring three goals in 21 appearances. The 21-year-old is on loan in France with Ligue 1 side Reims, scoring 19 goals in a breakout season and he is likely to figure in Mikel Arteta's plans at the Emirates Stadium next year. As he had not played a competitive game for England at senior level, he is eligible for selection for the CONCACAF Gold Cup which begins in June. On Tuesday his final call was confirmed, with Balogun's decision to change his nationality ratified by FIFA with paperwork confirming the switch. He was also eligible to play for Nigeria, but Balogun was spotted at the US men's national team's training camp in Orlando, Florida during the March international window, not long after he briefly had an Instagram story post on his profile reading: “In life, Go where your (sic) appreciated. But he was not involved in the March friendlies against France and Croatia as he mulled his future, although injury was cited as the official reason. The forward has opted to play for the country of his birth after spending the early months of his life in New York City before his Nigerian parents relocated to London, where he joined Arsenal's academy as an eight-year-old.īalogun has played for both the US and England at youth international level and it appeared the Three Lions were winning the battle to secure his future with Balogun scoring seven goals in 13 appearances for the under-21s. England have lost the battle to secure Folarin Balogun's services after the Arsenal talent pledged his allegiance to the United States once and for all.
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