Stoke City striker Saido Berahino is about to play for Burundi at senior international level after FIFA granted him permission to switch allegiance.

Berahino was born in the Burundi, but fled the war-torn country at age ten to join his mother, brother and sisters, who had already been granted asylum in Birmingham.

The 24-year-old went on to play for England in every youth level from U-16 to U-21 between 2009 and 2015.

He received a call-up to the senior England team in November 2014 for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia and a friendly with Scotland, but did not play in either match.

Berahino remains eligible to play for Burundi, who first enquired as to his availability in March 2015, and is set to be named in Burundi’s squad for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier away to Gabon on September 7.

Burundi’s football federation confirmed FIFA’s decision with a post via their official Twitter page

In 2013 when he first broke into the West Brom squad, Berahino said of choosing to play for Burundi: “It’s a non-starter. I want to play at the best level with the best players at the best tournaments.

“Burundi is motherland to me. I will always be a Burundian regardless of what happens, even if I become a successful Premier League player. I will still have the Burundi culture in me.

“Playing for England is totally different. They have given me a second chance in life, provided my family with a different type of lifestyle.

“I feel very, very grateful to what England have done for me and my family, So, when I play for England, I play with passion and excitement, joy and desire to win.”