Nigerian-born Eberechi Eze has been called up to the England squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The Crystal Palace midfielder had trained with the Super Eagles after being courted by former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick and coach Gernot Rohr.
Eze’s form at Crystal Palace has seen him score six goals in his last eight Premier League games.
He also completes the most take-on in the Premier League this season (69).
Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling was left out of England’s squad to pave the way for Eze’s inclusion.
England also overlooked Italy-based English players of Nigerian heritage, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham.
Responding to a question on why Eze was invited, England Manager Gareth Southgate said:
“We’ve liked him for a long time. He has finished his season really strongly. He can play in a couple of positions across that attacking line. He is a goal threat.
”He is got nice abilities and a burst of speed to go past people and take people out of the game with his dribbling skills.
”We are looking forward to seeing him a bit closer, and everybody I speak to talks brilliantly about him as well.”
Southgate also invited Brighton’s captain and defender, Lewis Dunk, for the first time in five years.
Dunk led his team to qualify for a European tournament for the first time this season.
