Exclusive! Inaki Williams applies for Ghanaian passport to complete nationality switch

One of the most protracted nationality switches in football ips set to finally happen, following the application of a Ghanaian passport by Atletic Bilbao forward, Inaki Williams.

Inaki, born in Spain to Ghanaian parents, has already featured once for the Spanish national team, and has previously declined to play for Ghana. And after reportedly changing his mind recently, the intended switch was further mired in uncertainties and controversies.

Just last week, several media reports claimed the Inaki, and his brother Nico have again declined to switch and play for Ghana, despite being in Ghana for holidays and even attending a Ghana match.

These reports are, however, inaccurate, and Inaki is on the cusp of becoming a Ghanaian international having gone through official procedure in Ghana, the Zongo Mail can exclusively report.

Our sources at the Passport Office have confirmed that Inaki’s Ghanaian passport is being processed after his biometric details were picked at the passport office in Accra last week Monday.

The processing, follows a request for a Ghanaian passport, done on Inaki’s behalf by the Ghana Football Association, and the completion of the application process by the player himself at the passport office.

With the passport expected to be issued this week, the way has now been paved for Inaki to be available for selection by Ghana, ending his much-awaited switch.

But before that, the Spanish FA would formally communicate the switch to the GFA and also announce that Inaki Williams no longer represents the Spanish FA. Or, the GFA would publicly announce the switch after notification from the Spanish FA.

Meanwhile Inaki’s yiunger brother, Nico Williams, has not yet yielded to Ghana’s overtures to have him switch to the Black Stars.

Despite both his parents being Ghanaians, Inaki, who holds the enviable most consecutive La Liga appearance record of over 200 games in 6 years, had declined to represent Ghana, famously saying in interview he didn’t feel Ghanaian enough to feature for the Black Stars.

Inaki’s only senior cap for Spain was in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016, to feature. He however, featured 17 times for the Spanish U-21 national team.