England Euro 2024 call-up ‘honour’ for Man United goalkeeper

Tom Heaton has said he is “incredibly honoured” to have joined the England Euro 2024 squad as a training goalkeeper in a role described as “invaluable” by Three Lions head coach Gareth Southgate.

Manchester United veteran Heaton, who won the last of his three England caps in 2017, will travel to Germany to support first-choice Jordan Pickford and understudies Aaron Ramsdale and Old Trafford team-mate Dean Henderson.

“To get the call to go to a major tournament, to help in any way I can and pass on my experience, is a proud moment,” said the 38-year-old. “We have a great squad. I’m excited and can’t wait to join the group.”

Tom Heaton stats

Southgate said he was “grateful” to United. “Experience tells us that a tournament can put a lot of demand on our goalkeeping department, led by Martyn Margetson,” he added.

“Tom will play an invaluable role on the training pitch supporting Jordan, Aaron and Dean. Off the field, as someone we all know well, he will add to the positive environment we are always looking to create.”

Heaton was part of the England squad at Euro 2016 and was on standby for Southgate’s first major tournament, the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

He has played three times for United across two periods, initially being part of their first-team squad between 2005 and 2010 and returning in 2021 after permanent spells at Cardiff City, Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa.

Heaton joins Shaw, Mainoo with England

United are currently in discussions with Heaton over a new contract, while full-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo are also part of the England squad attempting to win the tournament for the first time.

Goalkeeping coach Margetson made most of his career appearances for first club Manchester City between 1992 and 1998, proceeding to join Southend United, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.

England, who lost 1-0 at home to Iceland in their final warm-up match with Ramsdale in goal, begin their Group C campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

They then face Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20 and Slovenia in Cologne five days later.