Nathan Tella: Meet Bayer Leverkusen Striker Who Just Received Super Eagles Call Up

• Nathan Tella has been handed his first-ever national team call-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
• Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, the star is eligible to play for both nations
• Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has invited him for the matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe

Bayer Leverkusen striker, Nathan Tella has earned a national team call-up as the Super Eagles prepare for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Jose Peseiro has named the 24-year-old in his 23-man squad that will take on the Crocodiles and Warriors in November.

The tactician has continued to rebuild the squad and will hope that the inclusion of Tella will help improve the side's attacking prowess.

Who is Nathan Tella?

Nathan Adewale Temitayo Tella was born on July 5, 1999, in Lambeth, England, to parents of Nigerian descent, Cyber Reporters reports.

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At the age of 13, he joined the Arsenal Academy, where he had his youth career for about ten years before moving to Reading and Norwich City, before he joined Southampton in April 2017.

Having impressed during his time with the Saints, Southampton handed him his first professional contract, and in June 2020, he made his senior debut as a substitute in their 3–0 win over Norwich City.

His first Premier League start came in February 2021 when they lost 3-0 to Leeds United, and in May of that year, he netted his first Premier League goal in a 3–1 win against Fulham.

Nathan Tella’s professional career

Last year, he was rewarded with a fresh three-and-a-half contract with Southampton, which would have seen him remain at the club until 2025.

He then moved to join Burnley on a season-long loan in August 2022.

After just one season, Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen announced the signing of Tella on a five-year contract for a reported fee of around £20 million.

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He has made four appearances for the German club in total, scoring one goal.

However, his performances have attracted the Super Eagles coach, who has extended a national team invitation to the star.

Peseiro explains why he accepted pay cut

Sports Brief earlier reported that Peseiro disclosed why he accepted a pay cut from the Nigeria Football Federation to continue as Super Eagles coach until the next Africa Cup of Nations.

The Portuguese manager took up the helm at the Super Eagles in May 2021 and recently signed a new contract despite a slash in his salary.

The former FC Porto coach has to fulfil some of the clauses the Nigerian football governing body included in the new contract he signed this year.