Ex-EFL star switches international allegiance from England to World Cup group rivals

Dan Agyei has officially sealed his international allegiance switch from England to Ghana ahead of the World Cup.

The former EFL star could now face the Three Lions in Group L at this summer’s tournament in North America.

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Agyei has been called up by the Black Stars for the first time after his switch was confirmed.

He has been named in Otto Addo’s 28-man squad for this month’s friendlies against Austria and Germany.

The London-born winger will be hoping to earn a place in the side for the upcoming World Cup.

Ghana are set to face Mexico and Wales in matches on the eve of the tournament.

They will then meet Panama, England and Croatia in group L at the finals.

Their clash with the Three Lions will take place in Foxborough on June 23.

Agyei on Ghana call-up

Agyei is already relishing the chance to make his international debut in the coming weeks.

Speaking via Ghana Soccernet, the Kingston upon Thames-born forward explained: “It’s a massive honour to be called up to the Ghana national team.

“As a player, you always do your best to represent your country at this level, and to finally get this opportunity means everything to me, and I’m ready to give my all for this year.”

Agyei is not the first player to switch their international allegiance from England in recent weeks.

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Former Under-20 international Carney Chukwuemeka will now represent Austria at senior level.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland have handed Queens Park Rangers’ Harvey Vale a maiden call-up after his national team change.

The 2026 World Cup will represent Ghana’s fifth appearance at the tournament.

Their previous best performance came in 2010, when they were beaten on penalties in the quarter-finals by Uruguay.

From EFL to international stage

As for Agyei, he is currently starring in the Turkish Super Lig for Kocaelispor.

The 28-year-old joined the club on a free transfer from Leyton Orient in the summer.

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It came after he had helped Orient reach the League One play-off final last term.

Agyei has since scored four goals in 24 league appearances for Kocaelispor, including the winner against Galatasaray in November.

His time in Turkey comes after spending his entire career in England prior to the switch.

After spending time in AFC Wimbledon’s academy, he began his senior career at Burnley.

Agyei enjoyed loan spells with Coventry City, Walsall and Blackpool before moving to Oxford United in 2019.

He later joined Crewe Alexandra prior to his two-year stay with Orient.

Across his EFL career, Agyei scored 45 goals in 222 appearances in League One and League Two.