Notts County winger Nick Tsaroulla has described receiving his first senior call-up to the Cyprus national team as a moment he will cherish, saying it will mean a great deal not just to him personally but to his whole family.
The winger, who has been a regular presence in County's League One squad this season, spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham about the honour, reflecting on what the recognition means after years of working through the professional game at club level.
"It'll be a great moment for me and my family," Tsaroulla said in the interview, published on BBC Sounds.
A reward for consistent club form
International call-ups at any level are rarely handed out without cause, and Tsaroulla's selection for Cyprus reflects the form he has shown in the third tier. Wide players who can contribute consistently over a long League One season tend to attract attention from smaller international setups, and Tsaroulla appears to have done exactly that.
For Notts County, the development is a double-edged piece of news. Earning a player his first senior cap is a mark of the club's ability to develop and attract talent capable of performing at international level. At the same time, any involvement in an international window will temporarily remove him from manager Stuart Maynard's options at Meadow Lane.
What it means for Notts County
County have had a busy period on and off the pitch this season. The club recently added winger Longelo from Salford City and secured a long-term contract extension for another key squad member, so the squad has been growing in depth. Tsaroulla's call-up adds a further dimension to the club's profile: they are now a side whose players are being picked for senior international duty.
Cyprus compete in the UEFA Nations League and qualification cycles alongside a raft of European nations, and making the step up from club football in England's third tier to that arena is a significant personal achievement for any player.
For Tsaroulla, the call-up represents the culmination of sustained hard work. Wingers in League One are required to contribute at both ends of the pitch, tracking back to help defensively while still being the players most likely to produce a moment of quality in the final third. Doing that consistently enough to attract international recognition is no small feat.
County's wider season picture
Notts County will be eager to have Tsaroulla back fully fit and focused once the international break concludes. The club are navigating a competitive League One campaign, and wide areas remain a key part of how Maynard's side look to create danger going forward.
Supporters at Meadow Lane will no doubt take pride in seeing one of their own step onto a senior international stage for the first time. Moments like these are part of what makes following a League One club worthwhile: watching players grow and earn recognition that extends well beyond the third tier.
Whether Tsaroulla goes on to win further caps will depend on his continued form at club level. For now, though, a first senior international call-up is a milestone worth celebrating, both for the player and for Notts County as a club.
Frequently asked
- Which country does Notts County's Nick Tsaroulla play for internationally?
- Nick Tsaroulla represents Cyprus at international level and has now received his first senior call-up to the Cyprus national team.
- Who is Nick Tsaroulla?
- Nick Tsaroulla is a winger who plays for Notts County in League One. He has earned his first senior international call-up with Cyprus this season.
- Has a Notts County player ever been called up for international duty?
- Yes. Winger Nick Tsaroulla has received his first senior call-up to the Cyprus national squad while playing for Notts County in League One.