International boss says 19-year-old Manchester City gem is a ‘very exciting prospect’

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Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu has been described as a “very exciting prospect” by Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper joined the Etihad academy from Irish club Shamrock Rovers in February 2019.

Bazunu has impressed at age level for City, though he’s yet to make his senior debut for the club.

However, he was named in their Champions League squad for the last-16 second leg against Real Madrid in August.

Later that month, the Irishman signed a new contract at the Etihad and joined League One side Rochdale on loan, where he has made 31 appearances in all competitions, including 28 in the league.

With international football about to get under way, Kenny has called Bazunu up to the Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Luxembourg, as well as their friendly with Qatar.

Given Darren Randolph injured, Kenny was faced with a choice between Bournemouth’s Mark Travers and Burton’s Kieran O’Hara, who have two caps each, and the uncapped Bazunu.

“Gavin is a younger one who has just now come up from the U21s and he’s a very exciting prospect and has a great future ahead of him,” Kenny told Sky Sports.

“I do take it on board that the players are inexperienced, I do take that on board, but we have faith in them as goalkeepers.”