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Tyrone Mings thought England call-up was a prank


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New England call-up, Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings thought it was a prank when he found out he would be joining up with Gareth Southgate's side for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

He found out through a text from a player liaison official - but initially believed it was one of his teammates making a joke. The 26-year-old signed permanently at Villa Park after a loan spell at the end of last season. He completed the transfer in July for a fee believed to end up costing Dean Smith's side €27.5 million (£25 million).

Speaking to the Aston Villa's club website, Mings said, “I thought it was a prank when I first found out. With it being the day of the announcement, it would have been the perfect time to do it! I got the text when I came in from training from the player liaison at England. I text back. She then called me and said ‘I’m not joking’.  That was how I found out. It was only when I spoke to her on the phone that I realised she was being serious.

“It’s still not sunk in. I haven’t played for England at any level. International recognition is obviously a dream come true. I am delighted. It’s obviously been a long journey to get to this point so to get called up, I am over the moon. I join a long list of Aston Villa players to have been called up, including the England manager, of course.

 

“I am fully aware of that history and those great players who have come before me and played for England. Hopefully, I get a chance to play. The lads were delighted when they found out. They are understandably as excited as I am. They are just as important to my performances as myself. Playing with these guys is a blessing. They help me each time we walk out on the pitch together. And the manager has shown faith in me. He’s obviously delighted, too.”


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Aston Villa England Gareth Southgate Tyrone Mings

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