Tosin Adarabioyo, a Chelsea defender, has stated he never turned down the opportunity to play for Nigeria.
Adarabioyo has already announced that he will make a decision on whether to play for the Super Eagles.
The towering centre-back, born in London to Nigerian parents, is still eligible to play for both England and Nigeria. Adarabioyo thought to be set for the Three Lions after appearing for England at youth level, ranging from U16 to U19.
His last appearance in an England shirt occurred in 2015, and despite solid club performances, he has yet to receive a senior call-up.
Now, after successful stints at Manchester City, West Brom, Blackburn Rovers, and Fulham, and having recently lifted the UEFA Conference League with Chelsea, Adarabioyo says the time has come to commit internationally — possibly to Nigeria.
Addressing long-standing rumours about snubbing Nigeria, Adarabioyo told Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba:
“Both of those pieces of news are pretty false. I’ve never turned down Nigeria. And I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I’ll be going to Nigeria.
“At the point of last season where there was a little bit of conversation, I told them I just want to focus on club football. I was in my last year at Fulham and I just wanted to have a solid running at Fulham. Now I’m at Chelsea. My first year which I wanted to concentrate on again.
“And I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision.”
