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Jack Grealish and five others who have crossed international borders

Jack Grealish celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the Premier League match between Leicester City and Aston Villa
Image: Jack Grealish has pledged his future to the England national team

Jack Grealish has pledged his allegiance to the England national team having played for Republic of Ireland at youth level, but who else crossed international borders?

The Aston Villa midfielder was born in Birmingham but has played for the Irish U17, U18 and U21 sides, qualifying through his grandparents.

We look at five other England internationals who made forays into the international scene with other countries...

Owen Hargreaves

Born and raised in Canada, Hargreaves moved to Germany in 1997, beginning his professional career with Bayern Munich. But Hargreaves made his international debut for Wales, appearing three times for the U19 side in the Milk Cup.

Owen Hargreaves was one of England's top performers in the 2006 World Cup
Image: Owen Hargreaves was one of England's top performers in the 2006 World Cup

Following the tournament, Hargreaves was due to represent Wales at U21 level, but pulled out when England approached him. The former Manchester United and midfielder made his England debut in 2001, becoming the first player to represent England without ever playing domestically in the country.

He went on to make 42 appearances for England, reaching the quarter-final of the 2006 World Cup and being voted England Player of the Year the same year.

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Carl Jenkinson

Born in Harlow to an English father and Finnish mother, Jenkinson originally started his international career with the England U17s.

Image: Carl Jenkinson played for Finland youth before making his England debut in 2012

However he found himself down the pecking order at left-back, and an opportunity arose to represent his mother's home nation. Jenkinson made three appearances for the Finland U19s in 2010, which included one as captain.

He went on to play for the U21s, before switching allegiance back to England, making his senior debut in November 2012 in a 4-2 defeat in Sweden.

Dave Watson

The former Everton captain won the league and FA Cup alongside his 12 England caps but he also made a special international appearance.

Watson was training in Hong Kong, when he was asked to captain a Hong Kong 'Golden Select XI' against his home nation. The match was to be as part of England's preparation for the Euro 1996.

Dave Watson captained a Hong Kong Select XI against England in a friendly in 1996
Image: Dave Watson captained a Hong Kong Select XI against England in a friendly in 1996

The match was supposed to be a confidence booster for Terry Venables' side but the Hong Kong XI, which included former England international Mike Duxbury, stifled a drab England, and it took a Les Ferdinand header to separate the two sides.

Watson's performance was hailed as one of the only successes in a pre-tournament trip that will be remembered more for the dentist's chair and England's off the field activities, rather than any performance on the pitch.

Stan Mortensen

The former Blackpool striker has an incredible record at international level, having scored 23 goals in 25 matches for England between 1947 and 1953.

Stanley Mortensen (right) with Stanley Matthews during their England days
Image: Stanley Mortensen (right) with Stanley Matthews during their England days

However Mortensen's first international appearance came on the 25th September 1943. England were beating Wales 4-1 in the wartime friendly between Wales and England before Welsh halfback Ivor Powell was forced to go off injured. Mortensen was England's reserve, and it was agreed that he would step in.

Mortensen wasn't able to change Welsh fortunes, as the visitors lost 8-3. However things got better for the centre forward, who went on to score England's first ever goal in a World Cup qualifying campaign, as well as scoring England's first goal of the 1950 World Cup.

Bobby Moore

Bobby Moore is synonymous with the England team, earning 106 caps and captaining England to the 1966 World Cup victory over West Germany.

Bobby Moore, who captained England to a World Cup win in 1966, also lined up alongside Pele against his home country
Image: Bobby Moore, who captained England to a World Cup win in 1966, also lined up alongside Pele against his home country

But in 1976, Moore was plying his trade in America for the San Antonio Thunder. The central defender was selected to play for Team America in the USA Bicentennial Cup Tournament, against Brazil, England and Italy.

Moore lined up with the likes of Pele and Giorgio Chinaglia to take on England in the last game of the round robin tournament. However Team America was vastly outclassed, losing 3-1 to Don Revie's side.