Callum Hudson-Odoi has revealed that he thought he was being pranked when the news of his first England senior squad call-up was delivered.
The 18-year-old Chelsea winger has been drafted into Gareth Southgate's squad after Manchester United's Luke Shaw became the fourth player to withdraw through injury.
Hudson-Odoi, part of England's Under-17 World Cup triumph in 2017, has been brought up from the Under-21 squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 double-header against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.
While Hudson-Odoi expressed his delight at the news, he thought that Aidy Boothroyd - the England U21s manager who gave him the news - was trying to kid him.
"It's been a crazy day but getting my first (senior) international call-up is an amazing feeling," he said.
"Today has been a very long day for me because I had to travel to Bristol first for the U21s and then getting told that I have to come over here to St. George's Park, it's been a crazy experience but I'm delighted to get the call and it's a nice feeling to be here as well.
"I thought the manager (Aidy Boothroyd) was joking! I was shocked and then when I heard that I actually had to go over, I couldn't believe it. I was delighted.
"It's a dream come true. Now I've got to work hard, enjoy every moment and keep working to just hopefully make an impact when I get the opportunity.
"Everybody here is very humble and they're very nice. They make sure you're comfortable, no one has an ego here so hopefully I get to know more of the boys here."
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
