Steven Caulker: Representing Sierra Leone a 'huge honour'

Former England defender Steven Caulker says he has a strong connection with Sierra Leone as he awaits Fifa clearance to play for the Leone Stars.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool centre-back, who played for England in 2012, has a link with the west African country through his paternal grandfather.

"My granddad was from Sierra Leone - he told me stories when I was younger," the 29-year-old, who plays for Gaziantep on loan from fellow Turkish club Fenerbahce, told BBC Sport Africa.

"When I was old enough and had enough money I went to visit myself. I went to places where he grew up, I spent some nights in the villages there and some nights in Kambia, Bo and (the capital) Freetown. 

"I feel a connection with the country, so for me to have the opportunity now to represent them at international level is a huge honour."

Caulker, who made several visits to Sierra Leone before deciding to switch his allegiance, says he has already given back to the country.

"I visited Sierra Leone many times in the past and I have built a school in Kambia," he said.

"My plan from the age of 19 was to give back to Africa, in particular Sierra Leone. I'm doing so, and I plan to build more schools.

"I was helping during the period of the Ebola outbreak [2014-2016] in the country, so this is another exciting part of my journey."

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

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