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Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has spoken about his Nigerian heritage and intends to visit the country in the next few years.
The Chelsea academy graduate was eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his father before making a cap-tying appearance for his country of birth, England in a UEFA Nations League match against Greece on October 10, 2024.
After making his senior debut for the Three Lions at the age of twenty under Gareth Southgate, Solanke spent seven years in the international wilderness before being recalled to the England setup.
Before his senior debut, arguably his finest moment as an England player was winning the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup with the Young Lions—a squad that included five other players of Nigerian descent: Fikayo Tomori, Sheyi Ojo, Ademola Lookman, Ovie Ejaria, and Josh Onomah.
Lookman excelled for the Young Lions during the tournament in South Korea, scoring three goals in six matches.
Solanke revealed that he is still pals with his ex-England U20 teammate and named him as his favourite Nigeria international.
In an interview with Showmax, via Footboom, Solanke said: “My favourite Nigerian footballer at the moment has to be Ademola Lookman. We are very good friends. What he has done over the last few years has been extraordinary.
“What he has achieved has been phenomenal, particularly for the Nigerian national team, so I was incredibly proud. Another standout for me is Victor Osimhen; he really was one of the best in the world.”
Lookman played for England at U19, U20 and U21 level before switching his international allegiance to Nigeria and was named in the country’s provisional squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Atalanta forward was one of the standout players for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Afcon, scoring three goals to help Nigeria reach the final.
In the Ballon d’Or rankings, Lookman was ranked fourteenth and is one of the five players in contention for the African Footballer of the Year award.
(Allnigeria soccer
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