Joshua King and Keita opt for Norway

Gambian-Norwegian duo Joshua Christian Kojo King and Mohammed Keita have opted to play for Norway instead of the Gambia national youth teams.

The duo were part of Norway's U-21 national team which was beaten 4-1 by Sweden last Thursday with Mohammed Keita netting the Norwegians only goal of the game.

They suffered another 2-0 loss to England on Sunday in a warm-up for the European U-21 Championship for opponents.

Joshua King turned down The Gambia's invitation to play for the national U-17 team during the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria in 2009.

King, who extended his apologies to the GFA regarding his decision to stay away from international duty for The Gambia in 2009, cited his target to secure a first team place in his club (Manchester United) as his focus then.

But he did not rule out any chance to play for The Gambia in the very near future until his recent appearance at the Norwegian U-21.

He made his debut appearance for Norway's U-19 team in 2009.

The 19-year-old Norwegian-Gambian forward was born in Oslo to a Gambian father and a Norwegian mother.

King was signed by Manchester United from Valerenga in 2008 and was later loan to Preston North End.

He began his career with the local club, Romsas IL, at the age of 6, but signed for Valerenga in 2006, when he was 14.

He remained with Valerenga for two seasons, but did not make an appearance before he was spotted by Manchester United scouts at Ole Gunnar Solskjær's summer school in 2007.

Muhamed Keita has had great ambition to play for the Gambia national teams until his recent inclusion into the U-21 team of Norway.

Born on 2 September 1990 in Banjul, Keita plays for Stromsgodset IF in the Norwegian Tippeligaen.

He scored Norway’s only goal in last Thursday game against Sweden.