James Abankwah joins Ireland squad after impressive performances

James Abankwah had a busy week. He was called up to the Ireland national football team for the first time on Thursday and then received a red card while playing for Watford on Saturday. After that, he flew home to join the national team for upcoming matches. Abankwah is a young defender who has been making an impression at Watford since joining on loan in January. He has played 11 matches and caught the eye of Ireland's coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson. Now, he will be part of the team facing Bulgaria this week. He began his career in the League of Ireland with St Patrick’s Athletic, where he became the youngest player to play in the FAI Cup final. Shortly after, he moved to Italy to join Serie A club Udinese. By the time he turned 19, he made his debut in the top division. Currently, Abankwah's future lies with Udinese, as he is under contract until 2029. He is on his second loan in English football, and his time at Watford has been successful, contrasting with his earlier loan to Charlton Athletic. He was surprised to receive the call to the senior team. "I thought I was going back to the Under-21s," he said. Abankwah is one of eight defenders in the squad and hopes to make an impact, although he might not start the game against Bulgaria. Abankwah noted that playing in the Championship is more physical and faster than Serie A. He believes his time in Italy helped him develop his skills, especially with the ball. Adapting to life in Italy has also been important for him. He learned the language and enjoyed the culture while bonding with teammates. "It’s good to at least understand the language for when your manager is speaking," he advised young players. He is excited about the opportunity to represent Ireland and is ready to give his best if called upon.