Liverpool's Ben Woodburn called up to Wales at age 17
Ben Woodburn is already entering the realm of international football.
On Thursday, Chris Coleman gave Woodburn his first call-up to Wales' senior team, as the 17-year-old striker was included in the manager's 23-man squad for the national team's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Ireland on March 24.
👥 | WALES SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Watch Chris Coleman's press conference right now over on https://t.co/MzAQaaI3gR #TogetherStronger #IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/zVRTFYcoQL
— Wales (@FAWales) March 16, 2017
In February, Woodburn became the youngest scorer in Liverpool's rich history at 17 years and 45 days, tallying the lone goal in the Reds' victory over Leeds United in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. The record was previously held by Michael Owen, who scored in May 1997 at 17 years and 143 days.
Coleman on Woodburn: He’s earned this, he’s done very well. He’s done enough & he’s earned his place with us.#TogetherStronger#IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/BFA9Feuypg
— Wales (@FAWales) March 16, 2017
Woodburn isn't the only uncapped player on Coleman's list, as Milton Keyton Dons' Joe Walsh also made the cut. Aberystwyth Town's Tom Bradshaw, who earned his first international cap against Ukraine in March 2016, is a notable inclusion as well.
Wales sits third in Group D, trailing Serbia by two points and first-place Ireland by four points.
Here's Wales' squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owain Fon Williams
Defenders: Ashley Williams, Chris Gunter, Neil Taylor, James Collins, Joe Walsh, Shaun MacDonald, Ben Davies, James Chester
Midfielders: Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Jazz Richards, David Edwards
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Sam Vakes, Tom Lawrence, Tom Bradshaw, Ben Woodburn, Hal Robson-Kanu
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