Teenager Donnarumma named in Italy squad

ROME: New Italy coach Giampiero Ventura has handed a first international call-up to AC Milan’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who could become youngest Italy player since 1911.

Ventura, who took over from Antonio Conte after Euro 2016, named several new faces in his 26man squad, with AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli, Torino forward Andrea Belotti and Leonardo Pavoletti of Genoa all included for the first time.

Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, who missed the European Championship due to injury, has been recalled.

Donnarumma saved a penalty on his Milan debut in October, 2015 when he became Serie A’s youngest keeper at the age of 16. Now 17 years and six months he could become the youngest senior Italy international since Rodolfo Gavinelli 105 years ago.

Italy, who reached the European Championship quarterfinals before losing on penalties to Germany, meet France in a friendly on September 1 in Bari before a World Cup qualifier against Israel in Haifa on September 5.

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 Obinze Ogbonna (West Ham), Alessio Romagnoli (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 St Germain); Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder Citadin Martins (Inter Milan), Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa), Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng).