Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has decided to focus his international future on playing for England rather than the Republic of Ireland.
The 20 year old, who has featured for Villa on six occasions this season, has played for the Republic of Ireland under 21’s, but turned down a call-up to the senior squad when facing England in their June friendly.
And after talks with both England manager Roy Hodgson and Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, the midfielder has opted for a move to England.
Grealish, who was born in Birmingham but qualified for Ireland through his grandparents, said; “It was not an easy decision as Ireland has a special place with me through my family,” before adding; “But I have decided to represent the country of my birth.”
The midfielder made his professional debut during a loan spell at Notts County in 2013, before making his Villa debut as a substitute in May 2014.
The current England manager Hodgson made it clear to the midfielder that he would like him to feature in his national side, but failed to pick him during the international friendly against Ireland.
Hodgson names his senior squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania on Thursday, and if clearance for the midfielder is granted, Grealish could well make his England debut in either of those fixtures.