Jordon Ibe confirms allegiance to England

Liverpool winger, Jordon Ibe, has confirmed he wants to play international football for England rather than Nigeria.

The 19-year-old is also eligible to play for the Super Eagles, and Coach Sunday Oliseh tried to convince him to represent the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners.

However, London-born Ibe, who recently made his debut for England Under-21s, has opted to stay loyal to the country of his birth.

“It was my choice and it feels the right choice for me,” Ibe told Liverpool’s website after Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh revealed the decision.

“I was born here and have played in the younger age groups. I want to take it up to the first team one day.”

Oliseh had been keen to recruit Ibe for Nigeria but admitted defeat on Sunday when he wrote on Twitter:

“Jordon Ibe’s family informed me by a telephone call that he was giving priority to an England call-up. We wish them well.”

Ibe, who played for England U-21 against USA U-23 and then against Norway, spoke on the experience.

“It was great and I enjoyed myself,” Ibe said.

“It was a great experience and I’m looking forward to the coming games.

“You want to represent your country well. Even at times when you’ve not got games for Liverpool, doing well with England is vital.”

England coach Roy Hodgson has said Ibe could feature for his side in October’s Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Ibe joined Liverpool from Wycombe as a 16-year-old in January 2012 and made his Premier League debut against QPR in May 2013. He had loan spells at Birmingham the following season, and then Derby during the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.

He made 14 appearances for the Reds last season and has featured four times this term.