Tosin Adarabioyo Denies Rejecting Nigeria Call-Up, Says International Decision Imminent

Chelsea centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo has dismissed reports suggesting he turned down a chance to play for Nigeria, insisting, “I’ve never turned down Nigeria.”

The 27-year-old made the statement during a post-match interview after Chelsea’s emphatic 4-1 win over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final.

Adarabioyo, who joined Chelsea from Fulham earlier in the season, clarified that while discussions had taken place, he never rejected the Super Eagles outright. He explained that his primary focus at the time was on club football.

“Both of those pieces of news are pretty false,” he said. “I’ve never turned down Nigeria. And I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I’ll be going to Nigeria.

“At the point of last season where there was a little bit of conversation, I told them I just want to focus on club football. I was in my last year at Fulham and I just wanted to have a solid running at Fulham. Now I’m at Chelsea. My first year which I wanted to concentrate on again.”

The London-born defender, who has represented England at youth level and is eligible to play for both countries, hinted that a decision regarding his international future is imminent.

“And I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision,” he added.

Adarabioyo’s comments put to rest speculation surrounding his national team preference as both Nigeria and England continue to monitor his situation.