Udinese midfielder Seko Mohamed Fofana has swapped his international allegiance from France to the Ivory Coast.

The 22-year-old Udinese midfielder was an France Under-17 team regular before stepping up to the U-19 side .

However, because was never called for senior side,Fofana, who his parents are from Ivory Coast has been able to commit to the Elephants, the country’s national football association announced on Monday.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said in a statement: “Midfielder Seko Mohamed Fofana has chosen to play for the Elephants, under the colours of the Ivory Coast, his country of origin.”

Fofana begun his football career in Paris at the age of 9, before joining Lorient and later moved to Manchester City in 2013 where he was part of  development squad.

He later returned to France where he joined SC Bastia and later made a move to Serie A side Udinese, signing a five-year deal for worth £2.5 million.

Fofana’s choice to play for Ivory Coast is good news for new coach Marc Wilmots, who will be able to benefit from a promising talented midfielder.