Donnarumma, 17-year-old goalkeeper, called up to Italy squad

AC Milan’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has received his first call up to Italy’s squad.

New Azzurri coach Gian Piero Ventura also gave Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli, Torino forward Andrea Belotti and Genoa striker Leonardo Pavoletti their first call ups.

Italy hosts France in a friendly in Bari on Thursday, then visits Israel four days later to open World Cup qualifying.

Ventura replaced Antonio Conte, who left for Chelsea after guiding Italy to the quarterfinals of the European Championship.

A possible heir to longtime Italy starter Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma made his Serie A debut last season at the age of 16 years, 8 months - becoming the youngest goalkeeper to start a match in the top division.

Italy’s youngest player to make an appearance in modern times was defender Giuseppe Bergomi, who made his national debut at the age of 18 in 1982.

Buffon made his Italy debut at the age of 19 in 1997.

Fifteen players from the Euro 2016 squad remained in the team, including forwards Eder, Graziano Pelle and Ciro Immobile. Midfielder Marco Verratti returned to the squad after missing the Euros due to a hernia.

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Federico Marchetti (Lazio). Defenders: Luca Antonelli (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham), Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan), Daniele Rugani (Juventus). Midfielders: Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Giacomo Bonaventura (AC Milan), Antonio Candreva (Inter Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain). Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder (Inter Milan), Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa), Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng).