Nigeria Set to Miss Out on Lecce’s Danish Born Left Back Patrick Dorgu

Nigeria is likely to miss out on securing Lecce’s talented Danish born left back, Patrick Dorgu, who is on the radar of top Premier League clubs such as Tottenham and Liverpool. The 19 year old has been named in Denmark’s squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against Spain and Switzerland in October. If he plays in these matches, Dorgu will be cap tied to Denmark, making him ineligible to switch allegiance to Nigeria.

Dorgu, who qualifies to represent Nigeria through his Nigerian parents, Paul and Clara Dorgu, has emerged as one of Denmark’s top prospects. Since breaking into Lecce’s first team, he has played 41 matches and scored three goals in Serie A, earning interest from Premier League giants like Tottenham and Liverpool, as well as AC Milan and Napoli in Serie A.

Tottenham attempted to sign Dorgu during the summer transfer window, but a deal didn’t materialize. Liverpool is reportedly considering him as a long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson. Dorgu remains contracted with Lecce until June 2027.

Editorial

Patrick Dorgu’s rise as one of the top young prospects in Europe presents a bittersweet situation for Nigerian football. While his potential inclusion in the Danish national team signals his growth and impressive performances, Nigeria risks losing out on a player who could have strengthened the Super Eagles’ defensive options. For us, this highlights the ongoing challenge for nations like Nigeria to secure talented players with dual nationality before they are cap tied to other countries.

Although Dorgu had previously played in competitive matches for Denmark, he was not yet cap-tied due to FIFA’s eligibility rules, which allow dual nationality players under 21 to switch national teams if they have not participated in four competitive matches. However, with his impressive form and inclusion in Denmark’s squad, his future with Denmark seems all but certain.

The pursuit of Dorgu by major European clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool, AC Milan, and Napoli further demonstrates his potential to become one of the best left backs in the game. His decision to remain with Denmark, if finalized, will reflect his confidence in his international future with the European nation.

As Nigeria continues to produce top talents worldwide, it will be crucial for the Nigeria Football Federation to identify and engage players of Nigerian heritage early, ensuring that they feel connected to the country and see a future with the Super Eagles.

Did You Know?

1. Patrick Dorgu is a product of the Nordsjælland academy and joined Lecce in 2022, where he has flourished in Serie A.
2. Dorgu’s parents are Nigerian, which qualifies him to play for Nigeria’s national team, but he has represented Denmark at the youth level.
3. The 19 year old scored 47 seconds into his senior debut for Denmark in a match against Switzerland in September 2024.
4. Liverpool is eyeing Dorgu as a potential replacement for Andrew Robertson, who has been a key player for the Reds but is getting older.
5. Dual nationality players under the age of 21 are allowed to switch national teams under FIFA rules if they haven’t played in four competitive matches for their initial country.