Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha has earned a call-up to England’s Under-17 squad for this summer’s European Championship, which is set to kick off next week in Albania.
The tournament will begin on May 20, when Neil Ryan’s young Lions face Belgium in the group stage. England will also take on Italy and the Czech Republic before advancing to the knockout rounds.
Ngumoha is the sole representative from Liverpool in the squad, which includes several players from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. The 16-year-old winger made a strong impression during the qualifying rounds, scoring two goals in the 5-0 victory over Northern Ireland in March.
Having joined Liverpool from Chelsea last summer, Ngumoha has quickly settled in, impressing with his performances at various youth levels. This season, he has made 25 appearances for the youth teams, including scoring twice in the Under-21s’ final league match of the season against Aston Villa.
Ngumoha has also been involved with the first team, training regularly with the senior squad. In December, he was named on the bench for the Carabao Cup match against Southampton, and in January, he made his debut in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley. At 16 years and 135 days, he became the youngest player to start for Liverpool in an FA Cup match.
While still primarily playing for the Under-21s, Ngumoha’s inclusion in the senior team earned him a spot in Liverpool’s Champions League squad, though he did not play in the competition.
Full England Under-17 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Landre Awesu (West Ham United), Freddy Bernal (Chelsea), Jack Porter (Arsenal)
Defenders: Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City), Brad Burrowes (Aston Villa), Jun’ai Byfield (Tottenham Hotspur), Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur), Bendito Mantato (Manchester United), Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders: Max Dowman (Arsenal), Landon Emenalo (Chelsea), Finlay Gorman (Manchester City), Louis Page (Leicester City), Seth Ridgeon (Fulham), Luca Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Harry Gray (Leeds United), Reigan Heskey (Manchester City), Harry Howell (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Alejandro Rodriguez (Olympique Lyonnais)
