Everton youngster Nathan Broadhead has described his “shock” at being handed a place in Wales’ senior training camp to be held this week.
The 21-year-old was rewarded with the call-up after being named the Player of the Season for the Toffees’ Under-23s setup, for whom the attacking midfielder scored four goals and assisted three others in 22 appearances last season.
Speaking to the Blues’ official website, Broadhead revealed that he was not expecting the news.
“It’s a great way to end a great season for me,” the midfielder said. “It came as a bit of a shock to be fair but I just can’t wait to get going.
“I’m flying out [on Wednesday] and flying with one of the best players in the world in Gareth Bale and I just can’t wait to experience all of it.
“We fly back on the 28th and I had a holiday booked for that day so I’ve had to cancel that – but I was happy to.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what the standard is like at that level. Most of the players play Championship or Premier League so I can work hard and learn from that.”
The training camp – to be held in Portugal – will last until May 28, with Wales boss Ryan Giggs set to announce his squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers the following day.
OPINION
The call up for Broadhead is just reward for the season he has had. To be crowned the Under-23s Player of the Season award is a great achievement and hopefully it will be a springboard for better things to come next term. One thing is for certain, it is a springboard for his international career. It is great to see Giggs handing talent like Broadhead call-ups, and it will be interesting to see if the Wales boss does indeed include him in the latest squad. It would seem that Giggs has drafted Broadhead in to see what he is all about, and if the youngster can impress, there could be a chance of him making the squad. But even if he doesn’t, it will be a great experience for him to mix with star players such as Gareth Bale, as well as up-and-coming talents like David Brooks, who has had a fantastic season on the south coast with Bournemouth.