'Putting on the shirt was a special moment'

Thursday evening was a special one for Bukayo Saka, his family and everyone who has played a part in his development here in north London. 

Our 19-year-old started in England's 3-0 win over Wales, becoming our second Hale End graduate to win his first cap this year after Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

And Saka will never forget the experience. 

"Putting the shirt on was a very special moment," he said. "When I put it on before the game I remembered all the times I put it on in the youth team and this one was just different, so special for me. To play at Wembley, there's no fans but in front of the manager and such high quality players is a special moment.

 

"The game was quite different and the intensity was high. I had to get used to my new teammates but I grew in confidence as the game went on, I could have got a goal in the second half. I'm happy with the performance, there's a few things I can improve, but I'll take confidence from this because it is always a special moment to play for my country.

"I feel like in the first half we weren't really playing down the left a lot, we were getting more joy on the right side but in the second half we got a bit of joy down the left so I was happy with that. I was enjoying it more then.

"Now I  just have to try and play my best every week, and try to impress the boss while I'm here in the camp. It was another dream come true to make my debut for England and hopefully it can be the first of many."