Sunderland teenage defender Calvin Okike pledges his international future to Nigeria

SUNDERLAND teenage defender Calvin Okike has committed his international future to Nigeria saying he would like to start off by playing for the Golden Eaglets in the forthcoming 2025 Africa U17 Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Okike, 16, is a versatile defender who is capable of playing anywhere across the back four including centre-back and left-back.  He is qualified to play for England, his country of birth but is uncapped for the Young Lions, so is pledging his future to Nigeria, to prevent him being cup-tied.

One of the top young talents in the Sunderland Academy, Okike has been tipped to sign a scholarship deal ahead of the 2024/25 season. He is now targeting a call-up to the Golden Eaglets ahead of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations qualifiers.

At club level, Okike will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Super Eagles striker Josh Maja and Swedish international Joel Asoro who rose through the academy ranks to make their first team debuts for the Black Cats.  He will be hoping that a good club career will lead to him becoming a genuine international.