Former Manchester United forward, Dillon Hoogewerf has indicated a preference to play for Nigeria instead of the Netherlands at the senior national team level.
The player, a 23-year-old former Red Devils youth team member, explained that his mother is from Nigeria, a country he has visited.
He said he is willing to change his loyalty to the three-time African champions in the future.
Hoogewerf was born in Almere and can represent Nigeria.
Before now, he has played for the youth teams of the Netherlands at U15 and 16.
Hoogewerf represented Holland in a European U17 Championship qualifying match against Kosovo in October 2019.
“It’s my mother’s country. I have been there a few times and have said I wanted to help people there,” he told Voetbal International.
“That culture suits me better. You have a better chance of being remembered in Africa. There are so many good footballers.
“When I was sixteen, I got the opportunity to play for Nigeria. Then COVID came, and I was playing for the Dutch youth teams.
“This season, we reconnected. To represent Nigeria, I need to perform at a better level,” he said.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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