VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Daniel Caligiuri is looking forward to being part of the Italy squad for the first time.
Caligiuri, who came through the ranks of Freiburg's youth academy, has impressed in a Wolfsburg side that has booked a return to the Champions League next season.
He was born in Germany to an Italian father and a German mother, and has now made the preliminary squad for Italy's games against Croatia and Portugal next month.
"I am so happy, every footballer dreams of it," Caligiuri told kicker. "I have always said that I will play for the national team which invites me first. And I have big hopes now to be part of the Italy squad."
Caligiuri added that he will have no problem singing the Italian national anthem, and was congratulated by Wolfsburg sporting executive Klaus Allofs.
"We think it's great," Allofs said. "It's a recognition of the extraordinary development he has taken. Although it would have been even nicer if he had been called up to the Germany team."
Caligiuri joined Wolfsburg from Freiburg in 2013, and following a difficult first year has become instrumental for Die Wolfe as they aim to finish second in the Bundesliga, and also face Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final in Berlin on May 30.
He has featured in 43 competitive games this season, scoring 10 goals and setting up seven, three of them in the 4-0 win at Bielefeld in the German Cup semifinals late last month.