Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has received his first senior England call-up.
Calvert-Lewin’s blistering start to the season saw him join Blues teammates Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane in Gareth Southgate’s latest squad.
The striker’s eight goals in five outings for Carlo Ancelotti’s side earned him a place for the Three Lions’ Nations League clashes with Belgium and Denmark.
Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Calvert-Lewin racked up a hat-trick in Everton’s 4-1 win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup’s fourth round.
Gareth Southgate explained why he decided to finally include the 23-year-old for his country’s double-header during this month’s international break.
He said: “Dominic is a player we’ve liked for a long time.
“What he has added over the last 18 months are goals. Of course for a striker they are critical. He is in a really rich vein of form.
“His all-round game in terms of what he gives to the team, his hold-up play, his ability to press the opposition – he is a pest to play against for defenders.
“That adds a lot to the team and he has clearly been a big part of why Everton have started the season so well.
“He thoroughly deserves his opportunity.”
Calvert-Lewin previously took a starring role for England’s under-20 side that was crowned world champions in 2017, scoring in the final against Venezuela.
And the Sheffield-born marksman admits that the call-up has been one which both he and his family have dreamt about from an early stage in his career.
“I’m a very, very proud man to get this first England call,” he told evertonfc.com.
“I just phoned my mum and my dad, and my mum burst into tears.
“It’s something we’ve spoken about since I was a young boy. To get here now and get the call-up is a dream come true. I’m very happy.
“I found out with a text message [from the FA].
“Pickers and Keano were obviously named in the squad and they were saying, ‘Have you got the text yet?’.
“I went to my phone and saw the text message… I didn’t really know how to feel, if I’m being honest. I’ve thought about this moment so many times.
“To finally get that recognition of a senior England call-up, it’s something I’ve worked very hard for.
“I’m very thankful to my manager at Everton and my teammates for helping me get here.”