Folarin Balogun chooses to represent the United States
FIFA grants a one-time association change request; the 21-year-old is set to join the US Men's National Team (USMNT) for the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal on June 15 in Las Vegas.
Concacaf
Nations League semifinal
Chicago, May 16, 2023 -
Folarin Balogun, a 21-year-old player eligible to represent England, Nigeria,
and the United States, has made the decision to compete for the United States
in international tournaments. He is expected to join the U.S. Men's National
Team (USMNT) for the Concacaf Nations League Final Four, taking place from June
15-18 in Las Vegas, with the possibility of making his senior team debut in the
semifinal against Mexico.
USMNT
head coach delighted with Balogun's decision
USMNT head coach Anthony
Hudson expressed his delight, saying that they are thrilled that Folarin
has chosen to represent the United States. Not only is he an incredibly
talented player, but he is also a person of great character who will bring
value to our National Team both on and off the field. This comes at a time when
our team is continually progressing.
It is evident that he holds his U.S.
heritage in high regard, and they eagerly anticipate his integration into the
team.
In a Q&A session
discussing his decision to represent the USMNT, Balogun, who was born in
Brooklyn, New York, and rose through the ranks of the academy, signing with
Arsenal in the English Premier League, shared his journey.
Balogun's
impressive season at Stade Reims and goal-scoring prowess
He spent the past
season on loan at Ligue 1 side Stade Reims, impressively scoring 19 goals in 34
matches. Earlier in the season, he became the youngest player since 1956 to net
at least 17 goals in a French first division campaign.
Having previously
represented England in official youth international competitions, Balogun
applied to FIFA for a one-time change of association, which was approved on
Tuesday, May 16.
Balogun's decision to represent the USMNT backed by family and fans
Explaining his decision,
Balogun mentioned that, Choosing to represent the United States was a decision
made collectively with his family. Ultimately, it became an easy choice, and it
feels like the right place for him. Representing the United States holds a
significant meaning, more than people may realize. He is tremendously proud and
honored to have this opportunity, and he is committed to giving his all to
contribute to his team's success.
Balogun's
transition from representing England to the USMNT
Balogun, commonly known as "Flo," participated in the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, representing England. However, he later accepted a call-up to the U.S. U-18 Men's Youth National Team in August of the same year. During this time, he took part in a training camp and a tournament in the Czech Republic, where he had the opportunity to play alongside current USMNT players Taylor Booth, Aidan Morris, and Bryan Reynolds.
Furthermore, Balogun made notable contributions to England's U-21 team, scoring six goals in 10 appearances during the qualifying matches for the 2023 UEFA U-21 European Championship held in 2021 and 2022.
USMNT fans were aware of Balogun's eligibility to represent the United States, and he received a warm reception when it was revealed that he spent his vacation in Orlando in March. Reflecting on this experience,
Balogun mentioned, That's when he truly experienced the incredible support from U.S. fans. He was there and simply posted a photo with my friends, thinking it was just a casual holiday picture. But unexpectedly, he received numerous comments from people who knew he was in America, and he genuinely felt their love and support.
There has been a lot of anticipation, and he have come across many suggestions that he should choose to represent the U.S. It brings him immense happiness to say that he made the decision to do so.
In addition to his
impressive playing career, Balogun emphasized the importance of his family's
support in making this decision. He acknowledged that choosing to represent the
United States felt like coming home, and he expressed a deep sense of pride and
honor in wearing the national team's jersey. Balogun is determined to give his
utmost effort to help the team achieve success on the international stage.
Balogun's journey began in
Brooklyn, New York, where he was born. His exceptional skills as a dynamic and
prolific goal scorer were nurtured in the academy system, leading him to sign
with Arsenal in the prestigious English Premier League.
Throughout his career,
he has demonstrated his talent and goal-scoring prowess, which was further
showcased during his loan spell at Stade Reims in Ligue 1, where he found the
back of the net 19 times in 34 matches. This achievement made him the youngest
player in over six decades to score at least 17 goals in a single French
top-flight season.
Having previously
represented England in youth international competitions, Balogun took the necessary
steps to apply for a one-time change of association with FIFA. The approval of
his request on May 16 allowed him to make the decision to represent the United
States, solidifying his commitment to his U.S. heritage and the national team.
USMNT coaching staff excited about Balogun's skills and character
The USMNT coaching staff,
led by Anthony Hudson, expressed their excitement and praised Balogun's skills
and character. They believe he will make valuable contributions both on and off
the field, as the team continues to progress and strive for success. The addition
of Balogun to the USMNT roster is seen as a significant boost, bolstering the
team's attacking options and providing further depth and talent for future
competitions.
As Balogun prepares to embark on his international journey with the USMNT, fans and supporters eagerly anticipate his debut in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Mexico. His selection is a testament to his abilities as a player and his commitment to representing the United States at the highest level of international football.
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