Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham set to switch allegiances from England to Nigeria

England Under-21 striker Tammy Abraham is set to switch international allegiances to Nigeria in a bid to play at next year’s World Cup.
The Chelsea striker, who is on a season-long loan to Swansea, played for England at this summer’s European Under-21 Championships in Poland but remains eligible for the Super Eagles through his parents. Last week, Amaju Pinnick, the president of the Nigerian Football Federation, admitted that he was hopeful of persuading the 19-year-old to switch allegiances despite representing England at various youth levels thanks to his close relationship with his father, who is a childhood friend.
On Thursday, Pinnick confirmed that Abraham has agreed to play for Nigeria and added they have now begun the process of applying to Fifa to transfer his registration.
“I had a very honest and productive discussion with Tammy and his father last week,” he said.
“It’s been a long process but I can tell you authoritatively that he has agreed to play for Nigeria and not England. He and his parents have started the necessary documents to effect the switch.
“Clearly he understands he stands a better chance playing for the Super Eagles,” he added. “With his talent he has the ability to fight for a place in the Nigeria squad, by God’s grace we make it to Russia, then he would contest for a chance to represent his fatherland.”
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Nigeria are currently three points clear at the top of Group B as they attempt to qualify for a third successive World Cup Abraham, who signed a lucrative new five-year contract before completing his loan move to Swansea, would become the latest young player to turn his back on England having represented them at youth level following Chelsea team-mate Victor Moses, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace, who opted to play for Ivory Coast in December.
“I have said it often that my relationship with his father would help and so it was important to speak to them together,” said Pinnick. “They are happy with the prospect of playing for Nigeria.
“Of course everyone in England can see what Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi have gone on to achieve with Nigeria. We must wait because it is not so straightforward with Fifa. But the important thing is that we have made a big capture by getting Tammy.”

SOURCE : GUARDIAN SPORTS
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