Posted by BBC Sports on
England youth star Agbonlahor has turned down Nigeria before England youth winger Gabriel Agbonlahor is set to discuss his international future with his Nigerian-born father before deciding whether to accept a call-up.
England youth star Agbonlahor has turned down Nigeria before
England youth winger Gabriel Agbonlahor is set to discuss his international future with his Nigerian-born father before deciding whether to accept a call-up.
The Aston Villa player has been included by new Nigeria coach Berti Vogts in a provisional 37-man squad for this month's Nations Cup clash with Uganda.
Yet the 20-year-old, who has already turned out for England's U21 side, says he will wait to see the final squad before deciding his future.
"It's the first I've heard about being named in the squad, although there has been talk in the past about Nigeria," Agbonlahor told Aston Villa's website.
"If I get a call-up for the game against Uganda, I'll discuss it with my dad before making any decisions, but at the moment I'm concentrating on Villa and the England Under-21s.
"When I was linked with Nigeria earlier this season, I said I wouldn't rule anything out in the long run and that's still the same. I'll just have to see what happens.
"It's very flattering to be honest. Every player wants to play international football and I'm no different.
"I love playing for the Under-21s and one day I want to play senior international football."
Under Fifa rules, Agbonlahor is free to switch allegiance to Nigeria as long as he takes the decision before his 21st birthday and has not played at senior level for England.
In September, he turned down an invitation from Nigeria to play an African Youth Championship qualifier.
His call-up to the full Nigeria squad is reward for a fine first season with Villa for whom he has been a key figure.