England dealt blow as 18-year-old Yunus Musah commits international allegiance to the USA, despite confidence from within St George’s Park that Valencia starlet would pick Three Lions future
- Valencia winger Yunus Musah has committed his international future to the USA
- The former Arsenal academy graduate was eligible to play for England as well
- Gareth Southgate had previously spoken of his desire to pick Musah for England
Yunus Musah has committed his international future to the USA in what is a major blow for England.
The Football Association had been encouraged by the messages they had received from the 18-year-old’s camp and were confident that he would choose a pathway involving the Three Lions.
However, an announcement was made by the USMNT on Monday confirming that the New York born star had chosen to represent the land of his birth.
Valencia starlet Yunus Musah (right) has committed his international allegiances to the USA
‘I think it was pretty clear for me to decide to play for the United States,’ Musah said.
‘First of all, I think it makes sense to represent the country I was born in. The moment I decided to play for the United States came one day when my heart told me that this was the best place for me.
‘The project that we have now and for the future is so exciting, and it’s a great pleasure to be able to be a part of that. I can’t wait to get started.’
Musah, who also qualified to represent Ghana and Italy, qualified for England through residential rights, having moved to London from Italy when he was nine.
He joined Arsenal’s academy and had represented England from Under 15s to Under 18s level.
The 18-year-old also qualified to represent England and the FA had been confident
He had already made his senior debut for the US, picking up two caps in international friendlies, but was still on the radar of Gareth Southgate, who when asked about the youngster stated: ‘We think he’s a good player, that he’s on a good trajectory. We’d very much like his future to be with us.’
It is the second time this year a former England youth team starlet has rejected the chance to represent the Three Lions at senior level.
Jamal Musiala had represented England from Under-15 to Under-21 level having to London and joined the Chelsea academy in 2011.
However, the Stuttgart born midfielder, who now stars for Bayern Munich, committed his future to Germany last month.
Jamal Musiala represented England from Under-15 to Under-21 level but has chosen Germany
