Former Manchester United academy standout Dillon Hoogewerf has publicly declared his intent to represent Nigeria on the international stage, signaling a definitive pivot away from his birth country, the Netherlands. The 23-year-old Vitesse winger, who has been in impressive form in the Dutch Eerste Divisie this season, cited a deep-rooted connection to his maternal heritage as the driving force behind his decision. Having already visited Nigeria on several occasions, Hoogewerf expressed a desire to contribute to the nation both on and off the pitch, moving beyond his previous involvement with the Dutch youth system.
The Almere-born attacker is no stranger to the international setup, having been a prolific presence for the Netherlands at the U15 and U16 levels. His most notable competitive appearance for the “Oranje” came in late 2019 during a European U17 Championship qualifier against Kosovo. However, under current FIFA eligibility guidelines, Hoogewerf remains eligible to switch his allegiance to the three-time African champions as he has yet to be capped at the senior level. The forward revealed that while interest from Nigeria first surfaced when he was a teenager, the global pandemic and his ongoing commitments in Europe delayed any formal transition.
“It’s my mother’s country. I have been there a few times and have said I wanted to help people there. That culture suits me better. You have a better chance of being remembered in Africa. There are so many good footballers. When I was sixteen, I got the opportunity to play for Nigeria. Then COVID came, and I was playing for the Dutch youth teams. This season, we reconnected. To represent Nigeria, I need to perform at a better level.”
Hoogewerf’s perspective on the move is rooted in a desire for a lasting legacy, suggesting that the cultural landscape of African football offers a more profound impact for players of his profile. Now back in regular club action with Vitesse after a stint in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach, the “former Red Devil” has rekindled communications with Nigerian football authorities. He remains pragmatic about the challenge ahead, acknowledging that a call-up to the star-studded Super Eagles roster will require him to maintain a high level of performance in the domestic circuit.
As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continues its strategy of integrating talented dual-nationality players into the national team, Hoogewerf’s declaration adds another creative option to their attacking pool. With nine goals already to his name in the 2025/26 campaign, the winger is focused on elevating his game to meet the rigorous demands of senior international football. For now, the prospect of wearing the green and white remains a powerful ambition for the youngster as he looks to bridge the gap between his European upbringing and his African roots.
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