Arsenal’s Hale End Academy product Nathan Tella has confirmed that he granted an interview to a German media in which he stated that he would love to play for the Super Eagles.
Tella was born in England to Nigerian parents, making him eligible to play for the 1966 world champions and three-time African champions.
The exciting winger had always leaned towards playing international football for the Super Eagles over his country of birth, but has yet to be invited to the Nigerian teams.
Tella will bring his versatility to the Super Eagles if handed a call-up by Jose Peseiro as the Bayer Leverkusen star is also comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder, second striker and centre-forward.
The 24-year-old knows some of the Super Eagles players currently in Portugal including fellow Hale End graduate Alex Iwobi, Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo and Victor Boniface, his teammate at Bayer Leverkusen.
When asked to confirm reports that he has decided to play for Nigeria, Tella told German-based Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba that he wants to play for Nigeria.
“It’s true it has come from me. A couple of years ago I spoke to my family about it and said that’s the route I wanted to go down and to play for Nigeria.
“I’ve been doing well, hopefully I can get into the team and then if the call-up happens I am more than happy to accept it as something I want to do,” he said.
On the rationale behind his decision to commit his international future to the Super Eagles, Tella said: “I feel like it has always been a big part of my life obviously.
“Like I said in the interview, I’m a London boy. I’ve been in London, I have been in England but at the same time my parents are Nigerians, my grandparents are both Nigerians so for me I feel it’s the right route to go
down.
“I want to do something which makes my family proud as well. I know they are happy with me doing football but for being in Nigeria as well I think that’s another big thing for me.”
After a banner 2022-2023 season at Burnley that saw him score 19 goals in all competitions, Tella was acquired by Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window.
