White: I cried when I got the England call

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Defender stunned by the news that he was in preliminary Euros squad.

Charlie Hanson

2021-05-27T06:00:00Z

Ben White was told of his England call-up by Albion's technical director Dan Ashworth.

Ben White was overcome with emotion when he found out he’d been named by Gareth Southgate in his 33-man preliminary squad ahead of this summer’s Euro 2020 competition.

Albion technical director Dan Ashworth had the happy job of breaking the news to the 23-year-old.

“I was told the news while I was out for dinner,” White said. “I didn’t really believe it! Dan [Ashworth] told me about it and when I was going, it was unbelievable.

“I then put the phone down and rang my mum straight away, I was crying, mum was crying, my dad and my sisters were there. I just sat and cried for an hour and could not really believe it. I don’t think it has sunk in yet.”

The defender admitted it’s something he has dreamt of, but thought it was too late in the day to be included in the squad.

“An international call-up is always something you want, but obviously during the season I have been focussing on playing and putting in the performances for Brighton.

“When we finished on Sunday against Arsenal I thought that was it, I can go on my summer holidays now. To get a call-up for England is unbelievable.

“After the game against Arsenal I assumed it was a bit too late, because I had heard that you get called way before the squad is announced. When that call did come I was over the moon and shocked really.”