Former Manchester United academy winger and current FC Groningen midfielder Noam Emeran has explained his decision to represent Rwanda at international level.

The 23-year-old is among the new faces called up by coach Stephen Constantine for the national team's training camp ahead of upcoming AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

ALSO READ: Emeran welcomes debut Amavubi call-up with ‘great emotion’

"I feel really happy about it, proud of it,” he said, noting that since his father also played for Rwanda, it makes him proud to wear the national colours.

Asked why it took him so long to join the team, Emeran said he wanted to ensure he was ready to contribute.

"It took so long because I wanted to be really ready to come and bring something to the team, you know, not just coming because my name is Noam,” he said.

"Now that I feel ready that I played some matches on the professional level, I think that it was the right time to come,” he added.

Emeran said he received a warm welcome from his teammates.

"I feel like I'm at home and that's really important,” he noted.

He added that he has been following Amavubi's performances and watched the recent FIFA Series, where he was impressed by how the team performed and "how they won this tournament easily.”

ALSO READ: Mickels extends Sabah stay after golden boot season

The midfielder also expressed excitement about playing in front of Rwandan fans at Amahoro Stadium.

"I'm really excited about playing there, because the support has always been crazy,” he said, adding that he intends to give his all whenever he represents the country.

"I'm here to help the team to achieve things, and I will get ready for it and give my best every time,” he noted.

Speaking about his club future, Emeran said FC Groningen enjoyed a strong season and came close to securing European qualification, but admitted he is uncertain about what lies ahead after limited playing time for him last season.

"But I will see when we come back what's going to happen in the next few months,” he said.

ALSO READ: Amavubi appoint Brazilian goalkeeping coach

Born in 2002, Emeran began his career with Belgian side FC Brussels before joining the academy of Entente SSG in 2011. He later spent time at Amiens, where he reportedly attracted interest from top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, before joining Manchester United in February 2019.

He left Manchester United in 2023 and signed a four-year contract with FC Groningen in the Netherlands.

Emeran qualifies to play for Rwanda through his mother, while his father, Fritz Emeran, a former professional footballer born in Guadeloupe, also represented Rwanda at international level.