Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has confirmed he will represent England at senior level, ending speculation over a potential switch to the Black Stars.
The 19-year-old centre-back, who qualifies for Ghana through his Ghanaian mum Lisa Heaven, has been monitored by the Ghana Football Association as part of its drive to recruit talented diaspora players to play in next summer's World Cup.
Ghana have been drawn in the same group as England, Croatia and Panama for the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
However, Heaven has opted to continue his international career with England, where he has progressed through the youth ranks.
He suffered an ankle injury playing for the England Under-20s against Switzerland in October, was replaced at half-time and was not selected for November's match against Japan.
Heaven made two substitute appearances for United in the Premier League this season before starting against West Ham on 4 December in the centre of a three-man defence.
He received a booking after eight minutes and was substituted at half-time, but has started all four matches since and improved significantly in each.
He impressed in the 2–1 loss to Aston Villa on 21 December and was named man of the match in Friday’s 1–0 win over Newcastle, helping United record only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
"I am really pleased with Ayden. You can feel that he is improving every game. He is young, but you can feel that he has a good game, slows the thinking and improves during the game," Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said
"He trained really well and, if he continues to play like that, it is going to be really hard to take his place."
By: Pascal Amoah
