Foralin Balogun has been called up to England’s U21 squad for the games against France and Croatia later this month.
The 21-year-old striker, who is currently on loan from Arsenal to Ligue 1 club Reims, has had a breakthrough season this year.
With 16 goals in 26 appearances, he is currently the top scorer behind Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Lille’s Jonathan David.
Balogun was also eligible to represent the New York-born USMNT and made four appearances for the US under-18 team.
Forward’s family moved to England when he was two years old and he joined the Arsenal Academy at the age of eight.
As well as representing England at multiple youth levels, Balogun has already won 11 caps and scored six goals for England under-21.
Balogun said in an interview on the Ligue 1 website in November when asked about his international future. I’m going to make a decision soon, and that decision will depend on what’s best for me, not what the media or people think. ”
Speaking positively about his US experience in the same interview, he added:
“I played for England in the Euro U17 (tournament) a few months ago and after talking to my family decided to go. And we won the tournament! It was a good experience to see different ways of playing and methods, and I still keep in touch with some of the people I met there.”
Deeper
What Foralin Balogun’s breakout means for his international future
England U21 squad ahead of international matches against France and Croatia
Goalkeeper: Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion), Anthony Patterson (Sunderland), Carl Rushworth (Lincoln City), James Trafford (Bolton Wanderers).
Defender: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Jarad Braithwaite (PSV), Levi Colwill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Charlie Cresswell (Millwall), Ben Johnson (West Ham), Rico Lewis (Manchester) City), Jed Spence (Stud Renne), Luke Thomas (Leicester City).
Midfielder: Tommy Doyle (Sheffield United), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), James Garner (Everton), Angel Gomez (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), James McAtee (Sheffield United), Jacob Ramsey ( Aston Villa), Oliver Skip (Tottenham Hotspur).
forward: Cameron Archer (Middlesborough), Foralyn Balogun (Lance), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Noni Maduke (Chelsea), Cole Palmer (Manchester City), Emile Smith Lowe (Arsenal)
What are the rules for changing nationality for players under the age of 21?
Players from any youth team, including under-21 level, are eligible to change their nationality.
However, you must already hold the citizenship of the country you are switching to by the time you play your first match in an official competition of the country you are switching to.
If you don’t already have that nationality, you can switch, but only if you were under the age of 21 when you were featured in the country you want to switch to.
Additionally, players who have played in their country, but not at senior level, were under the age of 21 at the time, and have lived in another country for more than five years thereafter, are eligible to switch.
Players can switch nationalities if they have played in 3 senior matches or less and have played before the age of 21.
Deeper
What are the rules for football players to switch international allegiances, and how have they changed?
(Photo: Getty Images)
