Nigerian Passport Stops Jerry Mbakogu From Joining Leeds, Pledges Future To Super Eagles

Published: January 29, 2018

The proposed move of Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu to EFL Championship outfit Leeds United will not happen in the January transfer window.

Transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio writes on his website that the Lagos-born striker is not in the possession of an Italian passport, a prerequisite for him to play in the United Kingdom.

Thus, Leeds United can only sign Mbakogu in the summer transfer window, or have to increase the transfer fee to around 12 million euros before acquiring him this month, which is not the case now.

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old earlier informed allnigeriasoccer.com that his international future lies with the Super Eagles despite the fact he would become eligible to represent the Italian national team in the near future.

''I am 100 percent Nigerian, though I have been in Italy for long now and my life is here,'' said Jerry Mbakogu to allnigeriasoccer.com.

''Sincerely, I have not been thinking much on the national team, I have been working hard to make my future.

''As a Nigerian though, I'd like to play for my country, I grew up in Lagos and left when I was 12.''

Mbakogu tallied his eighth goal of the season across all competitions in front of Leeds United scouts on Saturday, January 27.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel