Arsenal striker Folarian Balogun has switched Allegiance from England to the United States, and he’s confirmed it on Twitter.
The New York-born forward has played for England at Under-21s level, but has opted to play his senior international football for the country of his birth.
LET’S MAKE HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/DIsf0tCYVY
— Balogun (@balogun) May 16, 2023
Balogun has made 10 first-team appearances for the Gunners, but it currently on loan at French side Reims. He’s impressed in Ligue 1 this season, with 19 goals in 34 appearances. However, since doing so well in France, he could well be involved in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal plans for next season.
With Folarin Balogun choosing to represent the USMNT, here is a look at some of his Ligue 1 goals this season, where he has scored 19 times for Reims. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/3T9kN4fJnu
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 16, 2023
This news comes at the wrong time for the England Under-21s, who in the coming weeks are due to launch their European Under-21 Championship finals campaign in Georgia and Romania.
Balogun has played 13 times for England Under-21s, but withdrew from the squad in March due to injury. Qualifying players are allowed to switch associations before they’ve played a competitive match at senior level for a nation.
He was born in America, and moved to England when he was two years old, and also qualifies for Nigeria through his parents.
Balogun Speaks Out On Background
The 21-year-old was speaking in an interview for Ligue 1’s official website back in November.
“I was born in Brooklyn,” he said. “My parents were on holiday there for a few months because we have family in New York.
“But very soon after I was born, we all moved back to London. Needles to say, I have no memory of that time. But I went back to New York last summer, during my holiday. I had a lot of fun.
“There’s obviously a special feeling for me there.
“London is my city, it’s where I grew up, where my friends are, and if people ask me where I’m from, I say I’m English. But yes, I am a mixture of all these cultures.”
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