Italy coach Antonio Conte has named America-based players Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo in his provisional squad for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Malta and Bulgaria.
The Azzurri host Malta in Florence on Thursday before they take on Bulgaria in Palermo three days later.
The Italy coach has named 28 players in his squad and the inclusion of Giovinco and Pirlo has made them the first players to ply their trade in the MLS to receive an international call-up for Italy.
“I am very happy. Given my performances, I kind of expected the call,” Giovinco said.
“It’s important for me and all the other players to feature for Italy. These are two difficult games, but Italy has to win because it’s our tradition.”
Apart from Giovinco and Pirlo, Conte has named seven other players who are playing their club football outside the Italian Serie A.
The squad
Goalkeepers: G. Buffon (Juventus), D. Padelli (Torino), S. Sirigu (PSG).
Defenders: F. Acerbi (Sassuolo), A. Barzagli, L. Bonucci, G. Chiellini (all Juventus), D. Criscito (Zenit), M. Darmian (Man. Utd), M. De Sciglio (Milan), M. Pasqual (Fiorentina), A. Ranocchia (Inter).
Midfielders: A. Bertolacci (Milan), D. De Rossi, A. Florenzi (both Roma), M. Parolo (Lazio), A. Pirlo (New York), R. Soriano (Sampdoria), M. Verratti (PSG).
Strikers: A. Candreva (Lazio), Eder (Sampdoria), S. El Shaarawy (Mo-naco), M. Gabbiadini (Napoli), S. Giovinco (Toronto), C. Immobile (Sevilla), G. Pellé (Southampton), F. Vazquez (Palermo), S. Zaza (Juventus).