Luton’s Zack Nelson has said he’s “proud and honoured” after making his England debut as the Elite League Squad (Under-20s) beat Romania last night.
The 19-year-old has had a breakthrough year with the Hatters after graduating through the club’s academy to make his Premier League debut, his full competitive bow and scoring his first senior goal – a wonder strike in the Carabao Cup against QPR.
That earned him a first call-up to Paul Nevin’s Young Lions squad alongside fellow Luton team-mate Reuell Walters and Nelson started and played the full game at Stockport’s Edgeley Park.
Goals from Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett, on loan at Oxford United, and Sheffield United’s Louie Marsh secured victory and Nelson will hope for another call-up for next month’s home game against Czechia.
The Hatters midfielder posted on Instagram “Proud and honoured to put on the shirt”.
And Luton Town responded by tweeting “One of our own made his first international start last night. Congratulations, Zack!”
Fellow Hatters Academy graduate Joe Johnson has this week played three times, twice off the bench, for the England Under-19s as they drew against Italy and Croatia and lost 3-2 to Germany.
Elsewhere on international duty last night, Luton defender Amari’i Bell played the full game as Jamaica beat Honduras 2-1, as Michail Antonio’s penalty sent the Reggae Boyz into the top two of group B in CONCACAF Nations League.
