Jarrad Branthwaite says it is a “lovely feeling” to make his family proud by being called up for England.

The Cumbrian defender said he quickly messaged dad Paul after learning he had been selected by Gareth Southgate today.

And the reply he got left him in no doubt about how pleased his loved ones are.

“I messaged my dad, and he said he was very proud of me – and all the family’s proud,” said Branthwaite, who grew up in Wigton.

“It’s a lovely feeling and I can’t wait to join up with the team.”

Branthwaite is in the Three Lions squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium later this month.

Jarrad Branthwaite - a Cumbrian on the rise

The 21-year-old former Carlisle United player, from Wigton, gets the chance to impress Southgate ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Responding to the news via his club Everton’s media channels, Branthwaite said: “I’m over the moon. To represent your national team at any level is a massive achievement, but for it to be the senior squad is a dream come true.

“I found out in training – the gaffer [Sean Dyche] pulled me and told me I’d been selected.

“I was buzzing when I heard the news. When I went training it was all I could think about, really.”

Branthwaite said that, amid recent speculation about his international prospects, he has remained focused on the job in hand with Everton.

He also paid tribute to the staff and his team-mates at Goodison Park for their support.

He added: “They are tough fixtures [against Brazil and Belgium] but I’m really happy just to be in the squad – I [want to] take every moment in and see where it takes me.”

Branthwaite has been an England Under-21 regular this season, and captained Lee Carsley’s team against Northern Ireland at Goodison Park.

But now he joins a full England squad which includes another new call-up in Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.