Folarin Balogun picks USMNT over England, and instantly becomes a top U.S. striker

The U.S. men's national team has won a recruitment battle for coveted multi-national striker Folarin Balogun,

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whose official request to switch his affiliation from England to the U.S. was approved by FIFA on Tuesday.

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Balogun, 21, will be immediately eligible to represent the USMNT, and could debut for the country of his birth as soon as next month.

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U.S. Soccer, in announcing the news, said that Balogun "is expected" to be part of the U.S. squad that plays Mexico in the Nations League semifinals on June 15.

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Balogun was born in New York to Nigerian parents, then spent most of his childhood in England.

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He therefore could have played for any of the three countries internationally.

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He represented England in official youth competitions.

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As he rose through Arsenal's academy, he seemed destined for the England senior team as well

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But, as he broke out with 19 goals this season on loan at French club Reims, an England call-up never came — and U.S. Soccer accelerated its recruitment.

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