The agent of Tottenham Hotspur bound defender Destiny Udogie has pour cold waters on speculations that the defender could dump Italy for Nigeria.
Signed in the summer, Udogie who is born to a father of Nigerian descent is spending this season on loan to Udinese and so far he ranks among the top performing defenders in the Italian Serie A. However his form couldn’t get him into the senior national team.
Yet to be capped by Italy at senior level, the door towards switching to Nigeria is wide open, something the 19 year old admitted is tempting when he spoke about it in April. Back then he was at Hellas Verona.
“I was born in Italy, so I feel more Italian. I grew up playing with the young players in Italy. I hope to reach the first team. It’s ambition, I just have to give more, to do my best every game, show my quality and it’s a big ambition”, he said in April.
“I have been in Nigeria but I was very small. I was like two years old so I don’t remember much but I’ve been there. My favorite player of course is Okocha, every Nigerian player knows him. It’s am option I must admit”, he rounded up saying when asked on his choice for international football.
His agent Ferdinando Guarino has however squashed any chance of a possible switch to Nigeria insisting that his client is focused on representing Italy, where he is already a youth international and was involved in the latest round of international games.
“Udogie is a player monitored by the senior national team. This time, we were hoping for a call-up but he was called up anyway with the U-21, really showing a particular attachment to the national team.
“He had a physical problem due to a clash on the pitch and despite not being at 100%, he gave his contribution, tightening his teeth and playing important matches against England and Japan. He has a great attachment to the Azzurri shirt and there will still be time for the senior national team. The goal is that he is Italian, born in Italy, who feels the blue shirt and is proving it.”
