Former Arsenal striker Akpom elects to represent Nigeria

Ghuba Akpom

Thursday Sep 26, 2019. 10:00

Greece-based striker Chuba Akpom has confirmed that he has switched his international allegiance to represent Nigeria and hopes to have his paperwork completed in the next few weeks.

The PAOK forward had previously represented England at junior national team level having come through the development system at Premier League side Arsenal, but has now thrown his lot behind the Super Eagles.

“I’ve only just recently switched my allegiance, so I’ve signed the documents and hopefully in the next few weeks it will be approved to enable me play for Nigeria,” Akpom told BBC Sport.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for many years now but not many people know this. It’s just been a matter of sorting it out, which is now in a process. I’m looking forward to it.

“It was a personal decision. I’m Nigerian and my whole family feel very Nigerian and it will be nice to represent Nigeria.

“It will also be nice to link up with Alex [Iwobi] again and play for the national team. We started playing when we were younger together and to make that step to play for the national team together will be amazing.”

Akpom made 12 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, but spent most of his time at the club on loan at the likes of Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Belgian side Sint-Truiden.

He joined PAOk on a permanent deal ahead of the 2018/19 season and scored eight goals in 32 appearances in his first campaign with the club.