Highly-rated Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie made his competitive debut for four-time world champions Italy as they defeated Malta 4-0 in a 2024 European Championship qualifier played at the Stadio Comunale San Nicola (Bari) on Saturday night.

The former Udinese man earned his first call-up to Italy's senior national team for their October internationals against Malta and England. 

Wearing the number 6 at the back of his jersey, the Verona native hopped off the bench in the 79th to replace Federico Demarco at left-back. 

Italy were three goals to the good before manager Luciano Spalletti handed Udogie his senior debut, courtesy of a brace from Domenico Berardi and an additional tally from Giacomo Bonaventura.

Udogie had a quiet debut as he touched the ball nineteen times and was accurate in 90 percent of his passes, according to stats from Whoscored.com. 

Despite playing in a competitive game for the Italians, the Tottenham Hotspur fullback remains eligible to represent Nigeria until he makes his fourth appearance for the European giants. 

FIFA's eligibility rules state that a player can play up to three matches at senior level and switch his international allegiance to another country provided the three games were played before he turned 21.

Udogie will be hoping to make his second appearance for gli Azzurri when they take on England at Wembley on Tuesday night. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com 

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