Tino Livramento's early life in Croydon as Newcastle defender earns first England cap against Ireland

-Credit: (Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)


South London-born defender Tino Livramento will earn his first England cap tonight after a shock call-up against the Irish. The Three Lions are set to battle the Republic of Ireland in Dublin for the first match of their new Nations League campaign, along with new interim manager Lee Carsley. It's England's first game since the heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euros final in July.

The new era under Carsley begins with an immediate look to the future, as uncapped trio Angel Gomes, Noni Madueke, and Morgan Gibbs-White join Livramento as the new kids on the block. All three were part of the victorious U21 European Championship squad, managed by Carsley, while Livramento was forced to sit out the tournament due to an injury.

The 21-year-old Newcastle United full-back has enjoyed stellar career since his days playing as striker on the muddy fields of his local team in Croydon. He was named Chelsea academy player of the year for the 2020 season, signed for Southampton and made his first Premier League appearance in August 2021, then, after a 13 month ACL injury, signed for Newcastle for a reported £40million in 2023.

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Tino Livramento during his Chelsea academy days in Cobham in Surrey -Credit:Clive Howes - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Tino Livramento during his Chelsea academy days in Cobham in Surrey -Credit:Clive Howes - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Born in 2002 to Scottish mother Caroline and Portuguese father Louis, Livramento might never have elected to play for England. But it was Roundshaw United, in Wallington, where Livramento's talents were nurtured as an u9s player. Then, after moving to Epsom Eagles and bagging the most goals in the team, he moved from centre back to striker and got scouted by Chelsea.

At the same time, he was still playing for Woodcote High in Coulsdon, where he attended until a move to Chelsea-linked Glyn School in Surrey as he reached year-10. Despite leaving Croydon behind, teachers who knew him told The Athletic he was 'down to earth' and would come back to visit bearing presents, like a Chelsea shirt and boxes of chocolate.

With a Portuguese father, it's unsurprising there is one player Livramento really idolises. "I always looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo," Livramento told Chelsea's in-house media channel, adding: "I really aspire to be a role model for younger footballers like Ronaldo was for me."

Speaking to talkSPORT ahead of the game tonight, Livramento paid tribute to teammate to recent international retiree Kieran Trippier and his 'unbelievable' career. "If I go on to have anything like he did, then I will be happy," he said. Trippier, 33, also plays right-back for Newcastle, but confirmed the end of his 54-cap England career hours before Carsley was appointed manager.

You can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 4pm.

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