Tammy Abraham denies switching international allegiance to Nigeria

There was never a turnaround in Tammy Abraham's loyalty.

Abraham released a statement on Thursday, denying reports that he agreed to switch his international allegiance in order to play for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup, and insisting he's committed to representing England. The teenage striker pulled on the Three Lions' shirt at the UEFA Under-21 Championship, but he's eligible to play for the Super Eagles.

"Contrary to reports in the media today I would like to clarify that I have not agreed to switch my national team allegiance," Abraham said, according to Sky Sports News. "I can confirm I met the president of the NFF (Nigerian Football Federation) after our last game against Tottenham (Hotspur) at Wembley on Saturday given he is a friend of my father. However, any suggestion that I have made a decision to change my international representation is incorrect and wide of the mark. I have informed the FA (Football Association) that I remain available for selection for England."

Amaju Pinnick, the NFF's president, met with Abraham and subsequently said: "Tammy is like a son to me, because his father was my childhood friend. I believe he is a good prospect for the Super Eagles and the effort is well worth it."

Pinnick declared: "I had a very honest and productive discussion with Tammy and his father last week. It's been a long process but I can tell you authoritatively that he has agreed to play for Nigeria and not England. He and his parents have started the necessary documents to effect the switch. Clearly he understands he stands a better chance playing for the Super Eagles. With his talent he has the ability to fight for a place in the Nigeria squad, by God's grace we make it to Russia, then he would contest for a chance to represent his fatherland."

Abraham, who is at Swansea City on a season-long loan from Chelsea, tallied his first Premier League goal in the Swans' 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace. He's mastering the art of playing as a lone striker, and Paul Clement drew parallels between the youngster and Harry Kane, stating: "I like his story, about how he's had to graft hard to get to where he is. That he has had to go out on loan and graft for the opportunity where he is now. He's reaping the rewards from all the effort he has put in now and from my understanding he continues to do that every day in training."

At the UEFA Under-21 Championship, Abraham appeared in all of England's games and scored in the semi-finals, where the Three Lions triggered deja vu by falling to Germany in a penalty shootout.

By joining Nigeria, Abraham would be following in the footsteps of Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, who committed to the Super Eagles after featuring for England at youth levels. Per Aarons, Ademola Lookman and Dominic Solanke are next on the African country's list of potential recruits.

Nigeria is atop Group B and unbeaten in 2018 World Cup qualifying, boasting 10 points from four games. The Super Eagles will qualify if they beat Zambia in October. England, meanwhile, can punch its ticket to Russia with a victory over Slovenia.