Ryan Alebiosu: Meet New Super Eagles Invitee Who Is Also Eligible to Play for England
Ryan Alebiosu has become one of the most talked-about names in Nigerian football after receiving his first invitation to the Super Eagles. The 23-year-old right-back has been in brilliant form for Blackburn Rovers in the English Championship, playing 18 matches and standing out with his solid, reliable performances.
His speed, strength and smart defending have impressed Nigeria’s coaching staff, who are looking for a replacement for the injured Ola Aina ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Alebiosu was born in Islington, London, on 17 December 2001 and is fully eligible to play for England. However, he has chosen to represent Nigeria, the country of his parents. Standing at 1.88m, the defender brings physical presence and calmness on the ball, qualities that have helped him rise quickly in his club career.
He joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of eight and turned professional in 2020. After loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Kilmarnock, he moved to Belgian club Kortrijk in 2023. In early 2025, he joined St Mirren on loan before returning to England in July 2025 to sign a three-year deal with Blackburn Rovers. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Southampton in October.
His strong performances have now earned him a place in Nigeria’s 55-man provisional squad for AFCON. The list includes established stars like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and William Ekong, as well as other new faces looking to make their mark.
A final squad of 28 players will be chosen before the team travels to Egypt for their training camp on 10 December. Nigeria will play friendly matches before starting their AFCON campaign on 21 December in a group featuring Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
For Alebiosu, this call-up marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter — a chance to make his debut and possibly secure a long-term place in the Super Eagles.
