Rangers new boy Fashion Sakala has been given extra time to prepare for his dream move to Ibrox, after being excused from Zambia duty.
The striker has signed a pre-contract with the Premiership champions having been sold on a move by Steven Gerrard.
Sakala turned down two English Premier League clubs to make the transfer and will be given every chance to arrive in top condition.
He was due to play for the African nation in three friendlies this month against Senegal, Benin and Sudan, as preparations for the World Cup qualifiers later this year.
However, Zambia's Serbian boss Milutin Sredojevic has decided to omit Sakala for his squad for the matches to allow the 24-year-old to hit the ground running at Rangers.
He said: "Fashion is about to realise his childhood dream of playing at a top football club.
"He is going to Rangers in Scotland and is due to undergo medicals before he starts his training as he completes his switch from Oostende.
"The last thing I want to do is endanger his career through picking up an injury and it would be unfair to the country to summon him for national team assignments.
"We know that we need him in future, we know that he is very important, and we know that he is undoubtedly patriotic."
Raith Rovers defender Frankie Musonda - who just signed a new deal with the Kirkcaldy club - was also handed a first international call-up from Zambia, but had to withdraw because he hasn't recovered from a knee injury he picked up in April.
