With former Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka reportedly agreeing to switch his allegiance from England to the Democratic Republic of Congo, here are other high-profile players who have recently traded European nations for African giants.
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The football fraternity will soon see the West Ham United defender don the famous blue of the Leopards after reports emerged that he had collected his Congolese passport. Fierce competition in his position, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James; prevented him from ever earning a senior cap for England, paving the way for him to represent the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists.
Wan-Bissaka’s decision comes a year after Brahim Diaz chose to swap UEFA for CAF. Unlike his London-born counterpart, the 26-year-old had already represented Spain, making one senior appearance during the pandemic in 2021. However, despite standout performances for AC Milan and Real Madrid, he was never recalled to La Roja.
In 2024, Diaz switched allegiance to Morocco, and he has flourished with the Atlas Lions. The playmaker has already scored eight goals in 10 appearances, and with the Africa Cup of Nations set to be staged in Morocco later this year, he and his teammates will be eyeing a second continental crown.
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Another former Spain international to switch to Africa is Inaki Williams. A club legend at Athletic Bilbao — the Basque side famously field only players with local roots, Williams made the bold choice in 2022 to represent Ghana, the homeland of his parents. Since then, the speedy forward has gone on to earn 22 caps for the Black Stars and remains an integral part of their set-up.
