Patrick Bamford has agreed to switch international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, Mick McCarthy has revealed.
Speaking at his media conference on Thursday, as quote by Irish site Sports Joe, the Ireland manager revealed that Leeds United striker has “said yes” to representing the Irish after previously playing for England at Under-21 level.
Bamford has not been named in McCarthy’s squad to play forthcoming internationals against Gibraltar and Georgia, but he is looking to have the 25-year-old on board for their fixtures in June.
Mick on Bamford:
"My last contact with him was on Saturday morning, they won Friday night. I just congratulated him on his goals, and just asked him if he still wanted to join us and he said, 'yes." I'm pretty positive"#COYBIG
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 7, 2019
McCarthy: "I contacted Bamford on Saturday morning after he scored for Leeds. He said he's still interested and I'm hoping to see him ASAP. I asked him if he still wants to join and yes was the answer. If he wants to be there for June it'll have to be quick." #COYBIG #IRLMNT
— Pundit Arena (@PunditArena) March 7, 2019
OPINION
Leeds fans will be relieved that Bamford will not be joining up with the Ireland squad this month and run the risk of suffering an injury in what has been an injury-ravaged campaign for the player. He has only recently achieved full fitness after missing much of the campaign through two separate knee ligament injuries, the first of which sidelined him for three months. It is no surprise Ireland are so eager to have the £7million striker playing for them, as they look to take advantage of the grandparent rule. Bamford’s decision to swap allegiances is a pragmatic one. Capped twice by England at Under-21 level, Bamford is some way from a senior call-up for the country of his birth, with Harry Kane and company blocking his way and might feel his chance has gone. He certainly has the ability and mentality to make a big impact for Ireland. He has showed with six goals in 13 matches for Leeds this season after previously thriving at Middlesbrough that he has the eye for goal and all-round class to be a big hit in international football.