by
Austin Ditlhobolo
Monday Nov 06, 2017. 09:00
New Nigerian senior international Francis Uzoho has paid tribute to his Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna.
This is after the teenage goalkeeper earned his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles squad.
The 19-year-old has been named in the 24-man squad to take on Algeria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier and then a friendly against Argentina this month.
"It probably wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been promoted to the first team at Deportivo," Uzoho told BBC Sport.
"They've really helped me and hopefully I can repay the faith," the Nwangele-born shot-stopper added.
Uzoho's national call-up comes off the back of a strong start to his Deportivo career in the Spanish La Liga.
The former Nigerian Under-17 international became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to ever play in La Liga last month.
"I feel I owe the former manager [Pepe Mel] a lot as well and I am grateful to the players and management of the second team and senior side and I thank God for his favours," he added.
Uzoho made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 15 October 2017, starting in a 0–0 away draw against SD Eibar.
According to Wikipedia, at the age of 18 years and 352 days, Uzoho became the youngest ever foreign goalkeeper to debut in La Liga.
He is also the second-youngest player to appear in the league during the campaign, only behind Real Madrid's Achraf Hakimi.
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