Leo Duru shines in USA Under-20 debut as Chile brushed aside

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(Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth) " bad-src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6Vd8f6lgNzJQObuR8.12Vg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/lancashire_telegraph_157/85f9a5786ca7fba3eedb1d8f26a4ff13" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6Vd8f6lgNzJQObuR8.12Vg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/lancashire_telegraph_157/85f9a5786ca7fba3eedb1d8f26a4ff13"/> Duru has ticked off another milestone early in his career (Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)

Rovers youngster Leo Duru has ticked off another milestone after getting his first taste of international football.

The full-back was called up to the USA Under-20 squad for the first time and made his debut in a 3-0 win against Chile on Saturday evening.

It has been an exciting few months for Duru, who travelled to Austria with John Eustace’s squad during pre-season and made his senior debut at Stockport in the Carabao Cup.

The Academy graduate also featured against Blackpool in the following round and made his Championship bow at Burnley, coming off the bench for the final stages at Turf Moor.

“It was great to get recognised internationally and I can’t wait,” he told RoversTV before heading overseas. “It is through my mum’s side of the family, some of them are still living in America.

“I have always had an American passport but I didn’t understand that I would be eligible to play for the USA until Under-14s or 15s, then I knew it was a pathway I could take.

“It was always in the back of my mind. I found out that I had been put in the preliminary squad for the Under-20s but it wasn’t the final squad.

“I had to wait a couple of weeks to find out about the actual squad and it was good news. On the day, it was a bit nerve-wracking.

“With the time difference as well, I had to wait until 8pm but when I found out the news, it was great.”

Duru, who has been with Rovers since Under-10 level, played just over an hour against Chile and set up Marcos Zambrano’s goal with a clever cut back.

“It is a good experience as a young footballer, to go out there and see different sides of the game,” he continued.

“I have only played in England and only know that kind of football. To go over there and experience that kind of football, I am sure it will help me and it is a chance to showcase myself.

“I just want to make the most of all the opportunities I am given. I want to go out there, play my football and be myself.”

Eustace was impressed with what he saw from the 19-year-old during pre-season and in the Carabao Cup.

Duru is grateful for the head coach’s faith and hopes he can kick on with more minutes in the league upon his return to East Lancashire.

“It is just the start of a long journey, but it has been a good year so far. I have been given a chance and played some first team minutes,” he explained.

“I want to carry on playing and try to push into the team. It has been a really good start for me and now getting this opportunity to play internationally.

“(Burnley) was crazy! I told the gaffer after the match it was mental, a surreal experience. It was a different type of game where we had to try to defend and see out the game with 10 men.

“I am really grateful to (Eustace) for giving me an opportunity as a young player and I will try just to do my best.

“I have taken good steps. There is a long way to go but hopefully I can stay on the right track and keep doing what I do.”

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