Mohamed Diomande has received his first senior call-up from Ivory Coast, just days after expressing his desire to represent his birth country. The Ghana-trained midfielder was initially named in the Black Stars squad for their friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March but requested time to decide on his international future.

Despite having spent most of his life in Ghana and being eligible to play for the four-time African champions, the 22-year-old revealed his long-held dream to represent Ivory Coast, the country of his parents, during an interview with Malick Traore on NOSTA Foot.

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae included the Rangers winger in his 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Kenya in June. Diomande, who has previously played at the youth level for Ivory Coast and was named in the U23 squad for a friendly against France in March, missed the match due to his invitation from the Black Stars.