Bigirimana Gets England World Cup Call

Gael Bigirimana has been named in the final 21-man squad for England Under-20's World Cup campaign this summer.

It is a first England call-up for the Burundi-born midfielder, who has surpassed all expectations since arriving on Tyneside from Coventry City last summer.

Bigirimana, aged 19, forced his way into manager Alan Pardew's plans and finished the 2012/13 season with 25 appearances in all competitions and a single goal - a stunning long-range effort against Wigan last December.

And those performances in the Newcastle engine room have also caught the eye of England Under-20 head coach Peter Taylor, who has named his final party after initially selecting a provisional 35-man squad.

Magpies' forward Adam Campbell - who is currently representing England Under-19s in their European Championship Elite Round qualifiers - was also in the provisional squad but has not made the cut.

Bigirimana will meet his international teammates at St. George's Park next Monday to begin preparations for the Under-20 World Cup before flying out to Turkey on Wednesday, 12th June for more training and acclimatisation. England will be based in Antalya for their first two group games, against Iraq on Sunday, 23rd June and Chile on Wednesday, 26th June. The Young Lions then move to Bursa for their final group game against African champions Egypt on Saturday, 29th June.



Good news for the lad. Will be great experience for him to be in the squad. Well done Bigi.

 

Bigirimana's been very impressive, liked what I saw of him in his first game.

He's going to get better too.

 

He and Campbell could well get a run of games next season, depending on transfer dealings of course.

 

Good news for him and hope he shines.

 

Great news. He has a lot to learn but looks well capable of doing so. This won't do him or his confidence any harm. Hopefully we can get him and Campbell involved next season as we need to have faith in the young players.

Shame Campbell didn't make the cut.

 

True, great chance for Bigi. although Campbell has not long turned 18, so he still has time.

 

Bigi looks well ahead of Campbell in all fairness. Campbell looks like he's got plenty to do to really get a run of games, whereas Bigi has started very well for his young age.