Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi says the FA made a late push to convince him to play for England but that he is "proud" to represent his native Nigeria.
Iwobi was born in Lagos but grew up in London and joined the Arsenal academy at the age of eight. He made his competitive debut for Nigeria during last month's international break, which ended any chance of him switching allegiances back to England, having represented English youth teams up to under-18 level before being called up to Nigeria's senior team for friendlies last year.
But, after making his Arsenal breakthrough during the second half of the season, the 19-year-old said he was offered the chance to switch back to England.
"It was a difficult decision picking Nigeria over England," Iwobi told the Arsenal website. "England did contact me recently before I played my first competitive match for Nigeria, asking if I wanted to play for England. I'm very proud to represent Nigeria but I would like to say 'thank you' to England for the chance they gave me, it was a difficult decision."
Iwobi, who is the nephew of former Nigeria star Jay-Jay Okocha, came on as a substitute during two African Nations Cup qualifiers against Egypt, but saw his team eliminated after losing the second match.
The forward has said he wants to play for Nigeria at the Olympics this summer, which would force him to miss the start of the Premier League season. And he said the reception he has been given by Nigeria fans has been overwhelming.
"The love Nigeria showed me... when I played for them in a friendly, the fans were just crazy. The fans almost eat you up because they love you so much. I'm enjoying playing for them," he added.
"When you're getting out of the airport there are fans already there screaming 'Arsenal, Arsenal. Gunners for life!' and it's just mad. Some of them have Arsenal shirts and then others will ask me for Arsenal shirts. It's a bit mad and the fans are crazy."