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Mason Greenwood is reportedly in the process of switching international allegiances to play for Steve McClaren’s Jamaica.
The change is set to mark the latest new start for the 22-year-old who left boyhood club Manchester United this summer to join Marseille in a deal worth £27million.
Greenwood has made just a single senior appearance for the Three Lions coming on as a late substitute during a UEFA Nations League clash with Iceland in 2020.
Greenwood returned to competitive football last season after spending 18 months out of the game having been charged with attempted rape, assault, and coercive behaviour in January 2022 after a series of harrowing images and voice recordings were shared online.
Mason Greenwood is reportedly set to switch international allegiances to play for Jamaica
22-year-old made his only senior England appearance as a substitute against Iceland in 2020
The charges were dropped on February 2023 by the Crown Prosecution Service following the withdrawal of key witnesses. Greenwood has denied any wrongdoing.
Jamaica reportedly contacted Greenwood after he received the green light to return to football however he declined their initial advance in the hopes of working his way back into the England team.
While never officially banned from playing for the national team by the FA, Greenwood has not been included in any England squad since his return to competition.
Speaking ahead of Euro 2024 this summer then-England boss Gareth Southgate commented that Greenwood’s involvement would prove a ‘big distraction’ did not rule out a potential return sometime in the future.
‘Well for me I don’t think it’s something for pre-Euros. I think allowing him to get his career going again abroad appears to have been a good move but I have to say I have not tracked it closely.
‘I think at this moment in time it would be a big distraction for the team and let’s see where that leads next season. I would need to know more details about the whole thing before it was an option.’
Jamaica boss Steve McClaren is said to have played a key role in their pursuit of the Marseille forward
The process is said to already be underway, with the FA said to have received a request to initiate the switch
Despite his brief appearance coming in a competitive fixture, FIFA regulations allow players to switch if they have played fewer than four competitive appearances before the age of 21.
As such, Greenwood can play for another national side, and qualifies for Jamaica through his father.
McClaren, who previously served in Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff at Manchester United, is believed to have served as the impetus for the Reggae Boyz’s renewed interest in Greenwood.
After being unveiled as the Caribbean island’s new manager earlier this month, McClaren revealed he would try and recruit foreign-born stars of the Premier League to play for his team.
‘I know the players. I met Mason and we had a little conversation. I want to go and meet everyone when I get back and find out whether they actually want to come here and play for Jamaica,’ he said, as per McAnuff Sports, an X account which posted a picture from his first press conference.
‘Again, it’s the commitment. I will be making sure that we have a conversation with all the players. We have a list.
McClaren also detailed his ambition to lead the country to the World Cup set to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Jamaica haven’t qualified for the finals since 1998 where they were eliminated in the group stage despite securing a memorable 2-1 over Japan courtesy of a brace from Theodore Whitmore.
The tournament in 2026 will mark the first time that an expanded 48-team format will be in effect, meaning three CONCACAF sides in addition to the hosts will make it to the finals.
The Reggae Boyz are aiming to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026
The country’s only appearance at a finals to date came in France 1998 when they were eliminated in the group stage
McClaren will lead his new side out for the first time next month for their CONCACAF Nations League clashes with Cuba and Honduras, though it is not clear whether Greenwood will be available for selection in time.
Should he turn out for the Reggae Boyz, Greenwood wouldn’t be the first player to have earned an England cap before going on to represent another nation.
Steven Caulker has made 13 appearances for Sierra Leone after scoring on his one and only England appearance against Sweden in 2012.
Meanwhile Wilfried Zaha has become a key figure for the Ivory Coast and has featured at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments after making a pair of England appearances during the early stages of his career.
