Ayodele Thomas: Netherlands-born winger ready for Super Eagles challenge

RB Leipzig winger Ayodele Thomas has signalled his willingness to play for the Super Eagles, opening the door to a senior international career with Nigeria.

The teenager, who recently moved to Germany, is emerging as a potential option for Nigeria, despite having previously represented the Netherlands at youth levels.

Thomas has featured for the Dutch Under-15 and Under-19 sides, but FIFA rules allow him to switch allegiance, as he has not yet played for the senior Netherlands team. Sources close to the forward suggest he views Nigeria as a realistic pathway to regular international football and is eager to embrace the opportunity should it arise.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Thomas has maintained strong personal ties to Nigeria and visited the country in 2025. He has also been seen publicly wearing Nigerian colours, further fuelling speculation about a potential allegiance switch.

For now, Thomas remains focused on his club career. Having joined RB Leipzig during the January transfer window, he has yet to make his senior debut. His camp maintains that breaking into Leipzig’s first team is the immediate priority, with discussions about senior international involvement expected to follow once he establishes himself at the top level.

Thomas’ journey to Leipzig has been steady. He began his youth career at Almere City and Feyenoord before moving to PSV Eindhoven, where he advanced from the Under-17s to the Under-21 side. Last season, he tallied three goals and six assists in 18 appearances for PSV’s reserve team in the Dutch second tier, showcasing his attacking potential.

If Thomas opts to play for Nigeria, he would continue the trend of Netherlands-born players representing the Super Eagles, following figures like William Troost-Ekong and Tyronne Ebuehi.

At just 18, Thomas represents a blend of European training and Nigerian heritage, positioning him as one of the promising dual-nationality talents who could significantly bolster the Super Eagles in the coming years. His next steps at Leipzig may well define both his club and international trajectory.