An excited Michail Antonio has begun the process of applying for his Jamaican passport and is eager to represent the country of his parents’ birth, Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts told Sportsmax.TV this morning.

The 30-year-old West Ham forward, whose parents are Jamaican, is expected to join the Reggae Boyz sometime during the coming months and it is hoped that he will be available to represent Jamaica by later this year.

Ricketts told Sportsmax.TV that he met with the player and his agent yesterday and that they have put the documentation together to help to expedite the process for Antonio to acquire his Jamaican passport. Once he has his passport in hand, the JFF can make the application for the player’s transfer of allegiance.

Ricketts said the player is so excited he even joked that his wife is now demanding that she get her own Jamaican passport.

“He really wants to play for Jamaica,” Ricketts said. “He is very excited and very committed.”

Antonio, who scored for West Ham in a 2-1 loss to Manchester City on the weekend, had previously been approached about representing the Reggae Boyz in 2016 but despite being called up to the England squad in 2016 and 2017, never took the field in an England jersey. He is now months away from donning the black and gold of Jamaica.

Ricketts was unable to say how long it would take for him to get his passport because the pandemic has slowed the process.

Meanwhile, Ricketts also confirmed that Reading defender Liam Moore has obtained his Jamaican passport and that he too is committed to representing the Reggae Boyz.

“He told me he is not even concerned about money, he just wants to get the team qualified for the World Cup,” Ricketts said.