German-born defender Kevin Akpoguma has announced his decision to represent Nigeria in international football.
Born to a German mother and Nigerian father in Neustadt, the 25-year-old Hoffenheim player is eligible to represent both countries.
He has played for Germany’s youth teams from U-16 to U-21 level, but he has yet to receive a call-up for the senior side.
Akpoguma helped Hoffenheim record a 4-1 win over Bayern Munich last weekend – the European champions’ first defeat in the year 2020. He has also played for Karlsruher, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Hannover 96 in his club career.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I am now at an age where I have already gained experience at European level with TSG and feel ready to play for my homeland,” Akpoguma told Hoffenheim’s official website.
“It makes me incredibly proud and I am positively excited. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the team.”
Akpoguma was not named in Nigeria’s squad for their upcoming friendlies against Tunisia and Algeria, but he could be called up for the team’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone in November.