Ex-Tottenham star Steven Caulker called up to Sierra Leone squad for first time despite representing England and Team GB
EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Steven Caulker has received a shock call-up to Sierra Leone's squad for this month's international fixtures.
The defender, 29, has one senior cap for England and starred for Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012.
Caulker has been called into the squad for Sierra Leone's October friendlies against South Sudan, The Gambia and Morocco.
The player is allowed to change his allegiance from England as he's yet to play a competitive game at international level.
Caulker qualifies for Sierra Leone through his paternal grandfather, who was born in the African country.
The ex-Prem ace is also hoping to play for Sierra Leone at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January.
Caulker played for Team GB at the London Games, one of nine players to feature in all five games before the side was ditched.
And he picked up his solitary England cap in November 2012, scoring in a 4-2 defeat to Sweden.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
That game is remembered for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's audacious 30-yard bicycle kick, lobbing England goalkeeper Joe Hart from distance.
Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson handed out six debuts against the Swedes, with only Raheem Sterling enjoying a long England career.
Leon Osman, Ryan Shawcross, Carl Jenkinson and Wilfried Zaha also made their first starts, with the latter switching his allegiance to Ivory Coast.
Caulker's decision to play for Sierra Leone is another incredible step in his unique professional career.
The defender was regarded as one of the hottest prospects in England when he came through the ranks at Tottenham a decade ago.
Whether that be for England or Scotland, I want to play international football.
Steven Caulker, Speaking in December 2020
He impressed on loan at Swansea during the 2011-12 season, his first full term in the Prem, before making a shock switch to rivals Cardiff.
Caulker played every game for the Bluebirds as they were relegated from the Prem, suffering the same fate at Queens Park Rangers a year later.
He then spent time on loan at Liverpool - playing as a STRIKER under Jurgen Klopp - before joining Scottish minnows Dundee.
At that time, there was talk of Caulker playing international football for Scotland through his grandmother.
A switch never materialised and he moved to Turkey in January 2019, representing Alanyaspor and current side Gaziantep.
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals