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Folarin Balogun wins first international title since dumping Nigeria for USA
By Monsurah Olatunji
Folarin Balogun who is of Nigerian descent has scored his first goal for the USA national team as they clinch their second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League triumph with a clinical strike in the final over Canada.
Just a month ago, Balogun was eligible to represent three countries, Nigeria, England, and the USA after missing out on the Three Lions call-up despite representing at the U21 level.
However, the Arsenal loanee switched his national allegiance from England to the USA last month as he opened his account in senior international football.
On just his second appearance, the 22-year-old scored the second goal of the game in a 2-0 win over Canada to lift his first trophy with the Stars and Stripes after only his second match, justifying his decision to switch nationality.
The American forward played 76 minutes of the final against Canada and was superb on the night, scoring with a brilliant right-footed drive from inside the 18-yard box before being replaced later in the game by Ricardo Pepi.
Balogun broke the record for the most Ligue 1 goals by a Reims player in a single campaign after scoring 21 goals in 37 games for Les Rouges et Blancs in the league alone.
Reacting after the match, the striker has ruled out another loan move from Arsenal who appear heavy in the striker department.
Balogun signed a four-year deal with Arsenal in 2021 but has only made two Premier League appearances since his senior debut in 2020.
He spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough before joining French club Reims on loan in August 2022.
Despite his impressive performances on loan, Arsenal have not ruled out Balogun’s sale as they could see the funds raised from the player’s sale invested in other areas of the squad.
The Arsenal star has however been the subject of summer transfer speculation as both Milan clubs, Inter and AC Milan, are believed to be hot on the heels of the American forward, hoping to seal a deal with the Gunners for the striker.
“What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again,” Balogun told media.
“I’m not sure (about) the discussions that are going to take place, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.
“But I’m just committed to now, I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family.”
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