FIFA approves Ademola Lookman nationality switch to Nigeria

Leicester City winger Ademola Lookman has had his application to change nationality to represent Nigeria instead of England approved by FIFA.

The 24-year-old is on loan at the King Power Stadium from RB Leipzig, having previously represented Everton and Charlton Athletic.

Lookman has not represented England’s senior team but was an Under-19, Under-20, and Under-21 youth international. He was part of the squad that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2017.

Growing up in Peckham, both his parents are Nigerian.

His path follows that of Alex Iwobi, who declared for Nigeria after representing England at junior level in 2015, and Joe Aribo, who grew up in neighbouring Camberwell.

Sone Aluko, Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi, and Ola Aina have also all successfully swapped nationalities to Nigeria.

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) chief scout Tunde Adelakun told BBC Sport Africa last November: “We are aware of Lookman’s desire to play for us and I have spoken to him as well. However, there is a process to it.

“After this process, then comes the consideration and decision of the head coach (Gernot Rohr) on whether or when he deems it fit to get him involved.”

Nigeria face a two-legged play-off against Ghana to qualify for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar. They have reached six of the last seven finals.

They went out of the recent Africa Cup of Nations at the round of 16 stage, falling 1-0 to Tunisia despite an excellent group stage record.

Nigeria’s other options out wide include Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, Bordeaux’s Samuel Kalu, Nantes’ Moses Simon, and Lorient’s Terem Moffi.