Angelo Ogbonna has expressed his pride at being called-up to the Italy squad for the first time in 18 months.
Capped eleven times, the centre-half made his debut for the Azzurri against Poland back in November 2011, but has not featured since appearing in a FIFA World Cup qualifying win in Israel in September 2016.
The former Torino and Juventus defender is closing in on 100 appearances for West Ham United, having arrived from the Serie A champions in the summer of 2015, and his consistent performances under David Moyes have earned him a recall from caretaker Italy manager Luigi Di Biagio.
And Ogbonna himself is excited by the prospect of facing Manuel Lanzini’s Argentina at the City of Manchester Stadium on 23 March and Joe Hart’s England at Wembley four nights later.
“It will be an honor and a privilege to return to defend the colours of our national team,” the 29-year-old posted on his Instagram account on Sunday.
Ogbonna has already scored at both stadia this season, memorably netting West Ham’s Carabao Cup winner against Tottenham Hotspur back in October, before heading in the opener in the Hammers’ 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester City in December.
England versus Italy will be screened live in the UK by ITV.