Arsenal striker Balogun has been in great form since he was loaned out to Reims last summer, and has already scored 19 goals in Ligue 1 this season, making him the second highest goal scorer in his first season in Ligue 1 since the beginning of the 21st century, behind Ibrahim Movi, who scored 30 goals in 2012/13. As Balogun has not been called up by England's Shoebridge, he has finally made the choice to represent the U.S. national team.
Balogun, whose parents are Nigerian, was born in New York City, USA, and moved to England at the age of two, where he trained with Arsenal's youth team. The 21-year-old star was not utilized by Arsenal's Adidas, and after being loaned out to Championship side Middlesbrough last season, he was loaned out to Reims this season. Balogun has been a revelation, ranking 5th on the Ligue 1's scoring charts with 19 goals, which is a rare feat for a youngster.
Balogun, who has started for a number of age-grade junior internationals, including England U21, but has never been able to progress to the big time, had expressed an interest in representing Nigeria the previous year, but Yijia ultimately decided to represent the United States and has already been approved for a transfer by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
The U.S. Soccer Federation issued a statement welcoming Balogun to the team, and it is expected that caretaker leader Anthony Hutchen will call up Balogun to play in the final four of the North and Central American Nations League in June. It is worth mentioning that the US is one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, and Balogun is expected to turn his back on England at that time.
