Danjuma considering Nigeria switch from Netherlands

Bournemouth's Arnaut Danjuma

Wednesday Apr 21, 2021. 12:00

Nigeria-born Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma says he is open to switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.

Having been born in Nigeria’s most popular city, Lagos, to a Dutch father and Nigerian mother in 1997, Danjuma has played two games for the Netherlands’ senior national team.

However, Danjuma is still able to play for Nigeria given the new Fifa rule that players can change nations if they have played no more than three competitive games before turning 21.

Danjuma, who is on the books of English Championship side AFC Bournemouth, has discussed his options having played his last game for the Netherlands in 2018.

“I’ve heard some bits about Nigeria but I can’t say too much about it though. My mum is Nigerian and my father lived 23 years in Nigeria as well,” Danjuma told Bournemouth Echo.

“The culture is still within the family, so it does not disregard for the Nigerian side. It’s a choice I will think about but I need some time, obviously.

“I think they are interested but obviously I play for the Dutch national team already, I scored for the national team already, so I’ve made that decision.”

Danjuma played his first international match for the Netherlands against Germany on 13 October 2018 when he came on as a 68th-minute substitute.

The former Club Brugge star then scored his first international goal on 16 October 2018 against Belgium.

“With the choice, I would like to represent Holland as well but then again I’m not being called up at the moment. So on the back of that, maybe I need to make some decisions,” he continued.

“I’ve played for Holland at senior level. One cap in the Nations League and one against Belgium but that wasn’t an official match. They have changed the rules so, if you have one cap.

“You can still change. “It isn’t a decision I can make just in a split second. I need to think about it.”

Danjuma, who was nurtured in the academy of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, has performed well at Bournemouth this season having scored 14 goals in 32 games.