'He's been on our radar' - Brighton defender receives first international call-up

Brighton defender Ed Turns has joined the Wales set-up ahead of the European Championship Under-21 qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria.
Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ed Turns has been called-up for the Wales under-21 national teamBrighton and Hove Albion defender Ed Turns has been called-up for the Wales under-21 national team
Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ed Turns has been called-up for the Wales under-21 national team

Turns made his Seagulls debut in September’s Carabao Cup victory over Swansea and has been a non-playing substitute in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old Brighton academy graduate qualifies through his Welsh-born mother and Under-21 manager Paul Bodin is delighted to have him on board.

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“Ed has done really well at Brighton and is part of their first-team squad on occasion,” Bodin said after naming a 20-man squad for this month’s 2023 Euro qualifying double header.

“He’s highly thought of at Brighton and, to be around the first team at a Premier League club and train with those players, he deserves an opportunity.

“He’s been on our radar for a quite a while, but he’s really progressed this year.

“He’s keen to offer his services to what we do. He’s seen the opportunity to progress quite quickly.

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“But it’s all about what you do at your club, especially a Premier League club.

Turns is joined in the Wales Under-21 squad by fellow defender Oliver Denham, who this week signed a new two-year contract at Cardiff.

Denham, 19, has made two cup appearances for Cardiff, with his first start coming in an fourth-round FA Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield last month.

Skipper Brandon Cooper (ligament damage) and Billy Sass-Davies (calf) are ruled out of the trip to group leaders Switzerland on March 25 and the home game with Bulgaria in Newport four days later.

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Wales are currently fourth in Group E with six points from seven games.

Squad: N Shepperd (Dundalk), L Webb (Shelbourne, on loan from Swansea), G Ratcliffe (Cardiff), F Stevens (Brentford), O Denham (Cardiff), M Boyes (Livingston), R Astley (Everton), E Jones (Altrincham, on loan from Stoke), O Beck (Liverpool), J Adams (Dundalk), T Taylor (Burton), S Bowen (Cardiff), D Williams (Dundalk, on loan from Swansea), R Hughes (Everton), J Vale (Blackburn), I Davies (Cardiff), L Jephcott (Plymouth), S Pearson (Inverness, on loan from Bristol City), E King (Cardiff), E Turns (Brighton).