England manager Roy Hodgson has claimed that Jack Grealish made the "bolder" decision to represent the Three Lions over the Republic of Ireland.
The Aston Villa youngster, who was eligible for both nations due to his heritage, played Under-21 football for Ireland, but on Monday pledged allegiance to England.
"I am very pleased," Hodgson told reporters in today's press conference. "I think it is the right decision. He is English, albeit with distant Irish roots. I think he has the talent to become an England player.
"I was happy he took the bolder decision and what matters now is how he does for Villa. He is aware of that. I was keen to point out that there were no guarantees for him with England."
Grealish was not selected in the England squad for next week's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania as he awaits international clearance.
