St Johnston’s Ronan Curtis has been named in the Republic of Ireland 21 squad for next month’s UEFA U21 Championships Qualifying Round Group 5 clash with Azerbaijan in Baku.
The 21-year-old Derry City midfielder recently rejected a move to Swedish outfit Ostersunds.
Curtis has been in superb form for Derry this season and has been given the call up by Irish U21 boss Noel King.
“We’re looking forward to the test,” King said.
“We have a large majority of the personnel that were involved the last time so the continuity is good. Hopefully they all come through fit and healthy from their club duties over the weekend.
“There will be a lot of factors involved with travelling and the heat which have to be taken into consideration so we’re looking to be as prepared for that as we can be.”
Curtis was subject of a bid of around €140,000 from Ostersunds, but the player didn’t agree personal terms at the club.
Curtis scored Derry’s only goal in a 6-1 defeat to Danish side Midtjylland in the Europea League June, when he caught the eye of Graham Potter, the Ostersunds’ manager.