5 English Footballers that Switched International Allegiances

As former QPR man Steven Caulker looks set to represent Sierra Leone in the African Cup of Nations we look at some other players who switched from the Three Lions.

Steven Caulker

A product of the Tottenham Hotspur academy, Steven Caulker broke into the Spurs first team in 2012 after a successful loan spell at then Premier League Swansea City and looked to have the world at his feet.

The promising talent's good form had not gone unnoticed, with England manager Roy Hodgeson giving him his international debut in a friendly against Sweden.

Despite bagging a goal in the game, Caulker's debut appearance would also prove to be his last for the Three Lions. In the years that followed Caulker's career took a nomadic turn, appearing for clubs in England, Scotland, and, most recently, Turkey.

Caulker even stated as recently as last year that he aimed to return to international football: "whether that be for England or Scotland" which by that point, was probably as likely to get him a call up to Gareth Southgate's side as it is to get me one.

Nevertheless, it seems that Caulker will get to live out his dream of playing international football at a major tournament after receiving clearance from FIFA to represent Sierra Leone in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, qualifying through his grandfather.

Goal of Caulker - Sweden vs England 1 - 2 [14.11.2012]

Wilfred Zaha

Loved by the Crystal Palace support and despised by David Moyes, Wilfred Zaha has been a consistent presence at Selhurst Park in recent years, having amassed both the most Premier League appearances and Premier League goals in the club's history.

Zaha's prodigious talents were well-recognised during his early career, with the forward representing England at multiple youth levels. Like fellow list entrant Steven Caulker, Zaha would be handed his full international debut during the reign of Roy Hodgeson as England manager, similarly making his first appearance in the ill-fated friendly defeat to Sweden in 2012.

Unlike Caulker, Zaha would go on to make a further appearance for the Three Lions, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-2 win over Scotland the following year.

Seemingly unable to force his way back into the national team despite his good form at club level, Zaha would switch allegiances to represent the Ivory Coast. Ironically, Zaha's second international debut would also be a friendly against Sweden, though this time he would emerge victorious as Les Elephants came from behind to win 2-1.

Wilfried Zaha | All 5 Goals for Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)

Saido Berahino

Just a few short years ago, Saido Berahino was one of the hottest prospects in English football. Having broken into the first team at West Brom at the tender age of just 20, Berahino quickly established himself as a quality talent, scoring 14 Premier League goals in the 2014-15 season.

Despite seemingly emerging from nowhere, Berahino's successes did not come as a surprise to the England set-up. Having represented the Three Lions at every youth level, Berahino's quality began to really show through as he scored eleven goals in twelve appearances for England U-21s.

So, with Berahino enjoying success before at club and youth international level, a full senior call up to the Three Lions had to be just around the corner, right?

Well, a protracted transfer saga would completely derail the striker's momentum, so when the move away from the Hawthornes finally materialised in 2017, it was clear that he was lacking the qualities that had once made him so feared among defenders.

Berahino would leave Stoke three years later having scored just three league goals during that time, and subsequent moves have thus far failed to revitalise the former prospects club career.

However, despite his faltering club form, in 2018 Berahino was approached to represent Burundi, his country of birth, and has since earned 12 caps for Les Hirondelles.

Saido Berahino | West Bromwich | Goals, Skills, Assists - HD

Hal Robson-Kanu

Forever immortalised into Welsh footballing folklore for that goal against Belgium at Euro 2016, in an alternative reality, Hal Robson-Kanu may have instead shared in the agony of England's defeat to Iceland at the same tournament.

This is because Robson-Kanu had actually turned out for the Three Lions at youth levels before making the switch to Wales, qualifying through his grandmother.

To make things even better, Robson-Kanu's eligibility to represent The Dragons initially came about as a training ground joke after his then Reading teammate Glen Little joked that the young winger might be eligible for Wales after going on holiday there.

Despite the unlikely circumstances that led to Robson-Kanu's international debut, the former West Brom forward seized his opportunity with both hands. As Wales defied expectation at every stage during Euro 2016, Robson-Kanu established himself as a crucial member of the side, scoring the winner in a group stage game against Slovakia, before adding to his tally with a world-class strike against Belgium as the Dragons reached the semi-final.

Robson Kanu Wonder Goal vs Belgium

Neil Kilkenny

The undisputed king of international football allegiance switches, journeyman midfielder Neil Kilkenny wasn't content with just representing one nation.

Born in England, raised in Australia, and having Irish Grandparents meant that the young Kilkenny was pretty much spoiled for choice as to who he would represent at international level.

After returning to England as a youth, Kilkenny spent time developing in the famed Arsenal academy, where his burgeoning talents had already caught the eye of international scouts. Kilkenny would go on to appear for both the England and Republic of Ireland U18 teams in the same year, before seeming to commit his future to his country of birth by making a further three appearances for England U-20.

The tale of Kilkenny wasn't over there though. Then Australia manager Guus Hiddink was made aware that the young prospect was eligible to represent the Socceroos, and committed his future down by making his senior debut in 2006. Kilkenny would go on to earn a total of 14 full international caps in green and gold and even represented his adopted nation at the 2008 Olympics.

Neil Kilkenny