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Nigeria manager Eric Chelle contacts Tim Iroegbunam over Super Eagles switch
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has opened contact with the agent of newly signed Hull City midfielder Tim Iroegbunam over the possibility of the player representing the Super Eagles.
The approach has been made as Iroegbunam begins a new chapter in his career following his move from Everton to fellow Premier League club Hull City during the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old, who is expected to have more opportunities for regular first-team football at Hull City, was born in England to parents of Nigerian descent. He has represented England at youth level but remains eligible to play for Nigeria’s senior team.
Chelle has contacted Iroegbunam’s representative to discuss the midfielder’s international future. The conversation is understood to have been made easier because Iroegbunam and the Nigeria head coach share the same agent.
Iroegbunam has now moved beyond the age at which he can continue playing youth international football, making the issue of his senior allegiance more immediate. However, he would still need to complete a change-of-association process and receive FIFA approval before he could be selected by Nigeria.
That means the midfielder would not be immediately available to Chelle for competitive or other senior international assignments, should he decide to switch allegiance.
Iroegbunam’s club form has strengthened the case for Nigeria to explore the possibility of bringing him into the Super Eagles set-up. In the previous season, he made 29 appearances in the Premier League and provided three assists.
He operated primarily as a deep-lying midfielder, a role in which he contributed to Everton’s campaign before making the move to Hull City.
The contact between Chelle and the player’s agent represents an early step rather than a completed international switch. Iroegbunam’s eligibility to play for Nigeria at senior level remains subject to the FIFA nationality-change procedure, despite his Nigerian family background.
Nigeria are therefore continuing to monitor the player while discussions take place over whether he will choose to represent the country of his parents at senior level.
