Brayden Clarke, from Stourbridge, will make history by becoming the first player to be selected for three UEFA Euro finals tournaments at youth level when Wales get their Under-19s Euros campaign underway on Sunday (June 28).
Having represented Wales at the UEFA Under-17 Euro finals in both 2023 and 2024, Clarke has now earned a place in the Cymru Under-19 squad for this summer’s UEFA Under-19s Euro finals on home soil.
The 18-year-old defender, who was born in Birmingham and went to Hagley Primary School, qualifies to play for Wales through his grandad Ian, who was born in St Asaph and grew up in Rhyl.
Speaking to the Football Association of Wales (FAW) about writing himself into the history books with Wales, Brayden said: "It’s a really proud moment. Every call-up for your country is a proud feeling, and especially for a major tournament that we’re hosting.”
Looking ahead to playing in North Wales, he added: "It’s a brilliant feeling, not just for me but for the whole team.
"When we were younger, we all dreamed of playing in front of fans and especially our own fans.
"We just want to do them proud.
"I just want to get going now. I don’t want to wait any longer. I’ve just got to keep preparing and prepare to the best of my ability.
"Hopefully, the result takes care of itself, but the most important thing is the performance. Then we’ll see where that takes us."
Brayden, a centre back, joined his current club Arsenal in 2024 after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he had been since the age of nine.
His progress continued at an impressive rate and, in May 2025, he received his first senior call-up for Arsenal, being named among the substitutes for a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth at just 17 years old in May 2025.