West Ham United striker pledges international allegiance to Ireland over Nigeria

Promising West Ham United striker Mipo Odubeko has reportedly pledged his international allegiance to his country of birth Republic of Ireland over Nigeria, where his parents originally hails from.

The English Football Association were monitoring the eligibility of the Tallaght-born Odubeko, who relocated to Manchester with his parents in August 2015 on the invitation of Manchester City.

 
Previously he was reluctant to commit his international future to Ireland after he was excluded from their squad to the 2019 European U17 Championship, and withdrew from an U21 squad last March, claiming that he recently recovered from injury and had a busy schedule.

Eight months ago, Odubeko's family wanted him to represent the Nigeria national teams and the talented center forward was open to picking the Super Eagles over the Three Lions and The Boys in Green, but it appears his head has been turned by the Football Association of Ireland.

The 19-year-old is back at parent club West Ham after struggling for games at Huddersfield Town, for whom he made six appearances off the bench in the first half of the season.