Bukayo Saka gets England call-up on Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka has been handed his first senior England call-up.

England coach Gareth Southgate on Thursday named the defender in the squad for games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark.

The call-up coincided with Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.

In a tweet, Saka expressed excitement at being called to play for the Three Lions.

“Honoured and grateful to get my first @england call-up! #Blessings,” he tweeted.

Born in England to Nigerian parents, Saka will still be eligible to switch his allegiance to Nigeria if he doesn’t play an official game for England.

Another Englishman of Nigerian descent Tammy Abraham was also named in the squad.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire returns to the squad after being dropped following his conviction in a Greek court.

Maguire’s Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood and Manchester City’s Phil Foden were both omitted from the 30-man squad after being sent home from England’s camp in Iceland last month for breaching coronavirus rules.

England play Wales in a friendly at Wembley on October 8 before hosting Belgium and Denmark in Nations League matches on October 11 and October 14.