Playing for England was a dream - Kobbie Mainoo on choosing England over Ghana

England midfielder of Ghanaian descent, Kobbie Mainoo, has stated that playing for the Three Lions was his dream.

Mainoo was on Ghana's radar and was keenly followed, but the Manchester United prodigy chose to play for England instead.

Speaking ahead of England's second group game at the 2024 Euros, he admitted that he considered playing for Ghana and is proud of his ancestry, but playing for England was his dream.

"I'm proud of my Ghanaian heritage, but it was a dream to play for England. It's a code red situation, but I'm happy to be here," he said.

Mainoo made his competitive debut for England in a 1-0 win over Serbia at the ongoing Euros in Germany.

The game marked his fourth appearance for England since his initial call-up in March 2024.

Prior to his debut, Randy Abbey, a leading member of the Ghana FA, revealed that the top brass of the FA had taken notice of Mainoo.

"The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams," Randy Abbey, a member of the executive council of the Ghana FA, told The Times.

EE/JNA