British Born Bayer Leverkusen Winger Gets Eagles Call-Up

Nathan Tella says it would be “a dream come true” to make his debut for Nigeria in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next week.

The 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger has been named in the Super Eagles squad to face Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Born in Lambeth, England, but eligible for Nigeria through his parents, his international future had been the subject of significant speculation since he first began to make an impression in the youth set-up at Arsenal.
“It’s always been about representing Nigeria,” Tella told BBC Sport Africa.
“My family will be over the moon to watch me fulfil that dream.
“I am proud of my British and Nigerian sides and lucky to have both backgrounds. Of course we have both worlds, but ours is a proper Nigerian home [with] culture, food and tradition.”

Tella was one of the standout performers for Burnley last season as the Clarets earned promotion back to the Premier League, but he returned to parent club Southampton at the end of the campaign.

The forward, who is capable of playing either out wide or through the middle, had 22 goal contributions in the Championship last season and joined Leverkusen in a reported £20m deal in August.

His new side are undefeated at the top of the German Bundesliga after 10 matches and his speed, dribbling and delivery into dangerous areas would, in theory, give the Super Eagles an added dimension in attack.