'My dad is from Nigeria' - Arsenal's England youth teamer confirms he's eligible for Super Eagles, Black Stars

Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson has revealed that he is eligible to represent two African giants internationally, though he  is currently an England youth international. 

Alongside Andre Annous, Ife Ibrahim, Joshua Ogunnaike and Samuel Onyekachukwu, Ranson is the fifth player of Nigerian descent that signed a scholarship deal with the Emirates outfit prior to the start of the 2024-2025 season.

Apart from England, Ranson, who grew up in East London, qualifies to represent Nigeria's Super Eagles and Ghana's Black Stars by virtue of being born to a Nigerian father and Ghanaian mother respectively.

Ranson made his Young Lions debut in an international friendly against Turkey in December 2022, coming off the bench to save two penalties in a 4-0 win.

He is highly rated by Arsenal youth team coaches, considering that he made three appearances for Arsenal U18s in the U18 Premier League in his final season as a schoolboy.

The talented goalkeeper has received six call-ups to Arsenal's development squad but was a non-playing substitute on each occasion.

Ranson started his career as a holding midfielder and central defender but later switched to goalkeeper when the team needed someone to fill that role.

"My mum is from Ghana and my dad is from Nigeria, which leads to a lot of friendly debate about which jollof rice is better! " he tols  Arsenal's official website. 

"Personally I side with Nigerian jollof. I have two younger siblings: a brother and a sister. 

"My sister is into athletics, my dad runs his own five-a-side team, and my mum plays netball, so sports run in the family."

A product of Arsenal's Hale End Academy, Ranson has cited Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer and Brighton & Hove's Jason Steele as his role models.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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