Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report with certainty that Aston Villa's tri-national defender Kairi Kebetu has opted to represent Nigeria at international level. 

Kebetu, who is eligible for Nigeria through his father, also qualifies to play for England and Jamaica.

A tough-tackling, ball-playing centre-back, the 16-year-old is in the final year of his schoolboy contract with Aston Villa and has been offered fresh terms ahead of next season.

His versatility is another asset as he is capable of operating at right-back when required.

Kebetu has been on Aston Villa’s books since U9 level and has played above his age group this season, including an appearance in an U17 fixture against Liverpool.

It is understood that he harbours ambitions of representing Nigeria at youth level, specifically with the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles.

The Nigeria Football Federation has intensified efforts to recruit dual-national players over the past decade, a trend reflected in the current Super Eagles provisional Africa Cup of Nations squad, which features several stars born or raised abroad.

Among them are Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong, Ryan Alebiosu, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Alex Iwobi, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella and Felix Agu.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel