Italy have taken another crucial step in the international tug-of-war for talented Burnley striker Luca Coliocio, who is eligible to represent four countries, Soccernet.ng reports.
Italy Under-21 coach Carmine Nunziata has included the 20-year-old winger in the squad that will play friendlies against France and Ukraine in November, as Italy looks to prepare for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship.
#Under21 🇮🇹
I 2️⃣7️⃣ #Azzurrini convocati da Carmine #Nunziata per le sfide contro Francia e Ucraina 📋💙
👉🏻 https://t.co/sEHGxNaD5J#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/tVmGD5nPEu
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) November 8, 2024
Koleosho, who has Nigerian, American and Canadian heritage, is yet to commit to any major national team, keeping his options open. The United States, Nigeria and Canada have shown interest in securing his loyalty.
Born in the United States to a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother, Koleosho has already played internationally for the United States at the U-15 level, accepting a call-up to the Canadian senior squad for friendlies in 2022, and winning the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Italy in 2023.
The Italian Under-21 team will begin preparations on November 11 at the Olympic Training Center in Tirrenia, where Coliocio is expected to join the squad and continue his development under Nunziata’s supervision.
Italy hopes that these continued call-ups will eventually push him towards full commitment to the Azzurri.
But Nigeria still hopes to convince Koleosho to bring his speed and skill to the Super Eagles, especially since their attacking options are currently limited on the wings.
With Koleosho’s versatility and attacking flair, he could become a valuable addition on the right flank – a position that lacks depth aside from AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze.
Interestingly, Koleosho is not the only player of Nigerian origin in the Italy squad.
🚨 Here we go 🚨
Luciano Spalletti's latest squad 📋#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/9lrcYuZVuA
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 8, 2024
The Italian Under-21 squad also includes Michael Kayode, while the senior national team includes Leicester City’s Caleb Okoli and Tottenham’s Destiny Udoji, both of Nigerian descent.
For now, Italy seems determined to keep Kolicio in its ranks, but the race for his loyalty remains open.
