Teen who was denied UK citizenship can now follow Wales football dream

The father of an aspiring young footballer has thanked the public for their "amazing support", after being told his son could now be eligible to play for Wales.

Enzo Romano, 16, saw his application for British citizenship denied twice by the Home Office – a requirement needed to represent the national team under Fifa rules.

The youngster was born in Cardiff in 2009 to Italian and Spanish parents and has played for youth teams including Barcelona and Wales.

The BBC understands he has been told his citizenship application is now "in a position to [be] approved", paving the way for him to again represent the country of his birth.

The Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases.

Enzo said: "Now that it has been accepted, I feel so happy because I can represent my country again."

Despite being born in Wales, the teenager did not have a British passport and was ineligible to represent the country from the age of 16, even though he had previously represented Wales in youth teams.

His citizenship application was based on being eligible through the permanent UK residency status of his father Antonio Romano, who had previously been told he did not meet the required salary threshold.

However, after further documentation was submitted, Antonio said he had received a letter from the Home Office this week to confirm his son now met the requirements of his citizenship application.

"It was like a U-turn...I thought there wasn't any chance," Enzo said.

"My nationality was rejected twice... but I still had hope inside me that I could play for my country."

"It's a very exciting moment, we are so happy for what is happening," Antonio told BBC Wales News.

"When I understood this was really important - not just for football but for Enzo - I thought I'm going to fight to the end.

"After two years of struggle, with the amazing support we had from everyone, it's absolutely brilliant.

"We see a smile on our son's face, so that's the most important thing."

The family currently live in Spain, where the 16-year-old plays for Vilassar de Dalt in the Lliga Elit.

Antonio said he was surprised by the love they had received from Welsh people, adding "we're talking about a 16-year-old boy, not someone famous".

Enzo previously said he had turned down offers to play for Spain and Italy's youth teams, in order to represent Wales.

"Just because I moved to Barcelona doesn't mean I'm not Welsh," said the footballer.

"The first thing that comes into my mind every time is the dragon on my chest.

"I will try and do my best to remain at the top of the mountain - in the senior team."

The family's campaign has been supported by the Football Association of Wales, as well as politicians including Wales Secretary Jo Stevens MP.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that Enzo has been granted British citizenship," she said in a post on X. It's such great news for Enzo, his family and Welsh football.

"I've been working with Enzo, his family and his lawyer since last summer hoping we would see this decision happen."

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney also responded on social media, saying: "Gwych! Enzo is @Cymru. Diolch to all who worked on this."