West
Ham midfielder Declan Rice is free to play for England after world governing
body FIFA confirmed his switch from Ireland.
The
highly rated 20-year-old, who was born in London but qualified for Ireland via
his paternal grandparents, but considers himself “to be of mixed nationality”
and played three times for Ireland.
But
because they were friendlies it left the door open for him to change allegiance
and last month he announced his intention to do so, a move that has now been
ratified by FIFA.
“FIFA
can now confirm that the change of association of Declan Rice from the Republic
of Ireland to England has been approved,” said a spokesman for the world
governing body.
After
representing Ireland at youth level, Rice went on to make three senior
appearances last year, including games against France and the United States
ahead of the World Cup.
However,
speculation over his long-term international future mounted after he became a
West Ham regular under Manuel Pellegrini this season.
In
completing the switch, Rice follows in the footsteps of Aston Villa midfielder
Jack Grealish, who made the same move to England in 2016.
“My
pride at wearing the Irish shirt was always 100 per cent genuine,” Rice said in
a statement last month. “Ultimately, it is a personal decision that I have made
with my heart and my head, based on what I believe is best for my future.”
After
gaining FIFA approval it now seems likely that Rice, who has started every one
of the 26 Premier League matches he has featured in this season, scoring two
goals, will be fast-tracked into the England set-up.
England
manager Gareth Southgate names his squad for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers
against the Czech Republic and Montenegro next week.
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