Jude Bellingham has thanked Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson for a significant gesture ahead of the youngster's first start for England.
Borussia Dortmund teenager Bellingham was an impressive performer as the Three Lions earned a 1-0 friendly win over Austria at Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old was making his first start for the senior national side and was the youngest player to do so since Wayne Rooney in September 2003.
And he was handed his number eight jersey for the match by Henderson, who will wear the squad number during the Euro 2020 finals which start next week.
"it was a dream come true, especially to get it from Hendo, who has been such a big part of the team," said Bellingham, speaking to the official England Twitter feed after the game.
"I'm very thankful to him and the team for making it an enjoyable one, and we got the win.
"I loved every minute of it. It was obviously a dream come true to start for England. Hopefully many more to come."
Henderson was ruled out of the game at the Riverside as a precaution after feeling a twinge during training, although scans revealed no serious concern.
The Liverpool skipper, who hasn't played since February after a groin problem, now faces a race against time to be fit for the Euros with only Sunday's final warm-up game against Romania as preparation.
