Galatasaray midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu is reportedly close to obtaining a Nigerian passport, a major development that could pave the way for the highly rated midfielder to represent the Super Eagles at the senior international level.
According to reports, the 22-year-old is in the advanced stages of completing the necessary documentation to formalise his eligibility for Nigeria, bringing the long-discussed international switch a step closer.
Born in Rennes, France, Ugochukwu qualifies to represent Nigeria through his Igbo heritage and has remained on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for several years.
The powerful midfielder rose through the youth ranks at Stade Rennais before earning a move to Chelsea in 2023. Following limited opportunities at Stamford Bridge, he joined Burnley in 2025 and has now secured a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he is expected to play alongside Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.
Standing at 1.90 metres, Ugochukwu has earned a reputation as a commanding defensive midfielder, combining physical strength with excellent ball-winning ability, composure in possession, and an impressive passing range.
Although he has represented France at various youth levels, including the Under-21 and Olympic teams, he has not been capped by the French senior national team, leaving him eligible to switch his international allegiance under FIFA regulations.
Recent reports also suggest the midfielder has been embracing his Nigerian roots more openly. During the off-season, he reportedly visited family members in Imo and Abia States and was seen participating in community football activities, further strengthening speculation about a possible commitment to Nigeria.
Ugochukwu also boasts strong football ties to the country through his uncle, former Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam, who represented Nigeria at both youth and senior international levels.
The development comes at a time when Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is actively seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s midfield ahead of upcoming AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Chelle has consistently emphasised the importance of recruiting talented dual-national players, and Ugochukwu’s blend of athleticism, defensive intelligence, and technical quality makes him an attractive option for Nigeria’s evolving squad.
His move to Galatasaray is also expected to aid his development, offering regular first-team football in the Turkish Süper Lig and the opportunity to compete in UEFA Champions League football.
Should the passport process be completed successfully and the player formally commit his international future to Nigeria, Ugochukwu could be in contention for a Super Eagles call-up as early as the next international window.
Supporters have reacted positively to the reports, viewing the potential addition as another important victory in Nigeria’s efforts to recruit elite diaspora talents capable of strengthening the national team for future major tournaments.
If the switch is finalised, Ugochukwu would become another high-profile dual-national player to choose the green and white jersey, adding further quality and depth to the Super Eagles’ midfield.
With his Nigerian passport reportedly close to completion, Lesley Ugochukwu appears to be edging closer than ever to realising a long-anticipated move into the Super Eagles setup.
