Chelsea defender Ola Aina has revealed how Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi helped him to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Aina, 20, has been working on switching national team allegiances to the Super Eagles over the year as both his father and mother are from Nigeria, despite he was born in London.

The Chelsea youngster who is on loan at Championship side Hull City, has represented England at junior levels, but can still play for Nigeria, having not featured in a competitive game for the Three Lions.

"The one person that I would say has been an influence to me a little bit is John Mikel Obi," Aina is quoted as saying on Goal.com

 "I was first talking to him three years ago about it [playing for Nigeria]. Last season, the sea before and the season before that.

"Two years on, it has finally happened. Anything that comes from Obi is respected and I was happy that he invited me to come and join the team.

He continued: "He is very respected. He is our skipper, he is our captain. Everyone respects him entirely as they should. He is loved throughout the camp.

"My family are also very proud Nigerians and they are happy to see me play for the Super Eagles. I am happy with it as well. On my parent's side, they just support whatever decision that I decide to make in my career. They give me advice and what not but they ultimately just support the decisions that I make," it ended.

Meanwhile, the former England U-19 could make his competitive debut for Nigeria against Cameroon in Yaoundé in the return leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on September 4.

FIFA has approved Ola Aina's request for a change of nationality to turn out for the Eagles after representing the Young Lions earlier in his career.

"Ola Aina has been cleared by FIFA to play for Nigeria, he might play his first game for the Super Eagles against Cameroon in Yaoundé, a Nigeria Football Federation insider to Allnigeriasoccer.com
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