Manchester United full-back receives first senior international call-up

Manchester United full-back Lotta Okvist is understood to have received a late call-up to the Sweden squad for their upcoming appearance at the 2020 Algarve Cup.

The 23-year-old Pitea-born defender was not selected in Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson’s initial 24-player squad for the tournament but the player is now believed to have received a late call-up with the team set to leave for Portugal tomorrow morning.

Okvist’s inclusion in the group has been confirmed by Neverland MGMT, a registered intermediary who are licensed by the Swedish Football Association and operate under the authority of world football’s governing body, FIFA.

SMILE! Lotta Ökvist has been called to the Swedish Senior National Team for the first time, and she travels to Algarve tomorrow morning! Best of luck Lotta, and well deserved! 💫@lottaokvist @ManUtdWomen pic.twitter.com/9yoOoI2nV3

— Neverland | MGMT (@NeverlandMGMT) March 1, 2020

Okvist has represented Sweden at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 levels but her latest international call-up is her first at senior level. The full-back joins Chelsea pair Jonna Andersson and Magda Eriksson in the squad.

Sweden are the second-highest ranked side to feature in the 2020 Algarve Cup. They take on top seeds Germany in the Vista Municipal Stadium in Parchal on Wednesday afternoon with the winners of the match qualifying for the semi-finals of the competition.

Okvist joined Manchester United in the summer as a replacement for fellow left-back Alex Greenwood who completed a surprise move to European champions Lyon. The Swede has eased her way into the United side this season, becoming a trusted member of Casey Stoney’s squad.