Ogenyi Onazi’s move to English Championship club, Birmingham City, has been jeopardized by work permit denial.

The Football Association (FA) turned down Onazi’s appeal for a work permit on Wednesday, following the initial rejection of his work permit application last week.

The 24-year-old Nigerian, who has agreed personal terms with Birmingham City, played in over 80% of the Super Eagles of Nigeria games since his debut, winning the African Nations Cup in 2013.

However, according to the BBC, the midfielder did not qualify for a work permit due to Super Eagles recent fortunes, having failed to appear in the last two editions of the African Nations Cup and not moving up the FIFA world rankings in the past two years.

Onazi signed for Trabzonspor from Italian side, Lazio last year, scoring twice in 27 league appearances for the Turkish club.