Former England U21 captain Jake Clarke-Salter says that he is open to the idea of playing for Ireland.
The 24-year-old centre-back recently departed Chelsea after 16 years at the club, and signed for Championship side QPR. He had made just two senior appearances for Chelsea, amid several loans moves. Those included time at Bristol Rovers, Sunderland, Vitesse Arnhem, Birmingham, and Coventry.
'I qualify for Ireland as well'
Clarke-Salter played all the way up the underage ranks with England. He was part of the England side which won the 2017 U20 World Cup. He still holds an ambition to play for England but says that should Stephen Kenny come calling, he would have to discuss it with him family.
"My grandma was born in Ireland and all those on my mum’s side are pretty much Irish so I qualify for Ireland as well," he told The Athletic.
"I haven’t told anyone in the game that before, you are the first! I would be open to it, yes. It is international football so I want to play.
"I just have to keep doing my thing on the pitch and if Ireland come calling, then me and my family will have to have a conversation. They have always supported me when I’ve played for the younger England age groups but they encourage me to play for Ireland now too!
"When you’re a kid, you dream of playing in a European Championships or a World Cup. I’ve done it at youth level so it is only natural for me to want to do it at senior level as well."
🍿 Sweet and salty popcorn at the ready.
For 𝗝𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲-𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿’s first interview 🎬#QPR | #ClarkeSalteR pic.twitter.com/l3temUJgIC
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He added: "I see some of the players around the England camp and they didn’t get caps until they were 26-27. I look at people like Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings for inspiration that I can do what they did. It will always be an ambition to get an international cap."
See Also: Here Are 7 Irish Players That Need A Transfer This Summer
