Defender Ben White is heading to the Euros after being named as replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England squad.
The 23-year-old, who was named Albion’s Player of the Year on Sunday, is now in the 26-man squad preparing for Sunday’s opener against Croatia at England’s training base at St George’s Park. He has been given squad no. 22.
The FA confirmed this morning that White will replace Alexander-Arnold, who has a thigh injury, after making an impressive full debut in England’s 1-0 win over Romania in their final game before the tournament on Sunday.
Beyond proud and honoured! I’ll give it my everything 🦁🦁🦁 @England pic.twitter.com/kjMAAgalqK
— Benjamin White (@ben6white) June 7, 2021
White was named by head coach Gareth Southgate in a 33-man preliminary squad last month. That was whittled down to 26 last week with White among the players placed on standby for the Euros.
He became England’s 1261st full international last Wednesday when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 win over Austria. Southgate deployed White as a defensive midfielder in that game, but he played in central defence against Romania.
He becomes the first Albion player to feature in an England squad for a major tournament since Steve Foster during the 1982 World Cup.
Our #EURO2020 squad is complete.
— England (@England) June 7, 2021
Well done, @ben6white! 👊