SOUTHEND United defender Harry Kyprianou says his first international call-up was the perfect way to celebrate his 21st birthday.

The Shrimpers centre-back has been selected in the Cyprus under 21 squad for forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against both Hungary and Sweden.

And Kyprianou was thrilled to receive news of his selection on his birthday.

“Funnily enough I got the call from the Cyprus Football Association on my birthday to say I’d been called up for the under 21s for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers so that was a really nice birthday present,” said Kyprianou.

“It’s a massive honour to be called up to represent my country so I was delighted to get the news.”

Kyprianou - who joined Blues from Watford in September 2015 - has made 16 senior appearances for the club and started seven games in succession earlier this season before being forced onto the sidelines with a thigh injury.

However, the defender is now back in action and has now been called up by Cyprus where his grandparents were born.

“This is something I know my grandparents would have been extremely proud of so that’s a great feeling for me,” said Kyprianou.

“I’m very excited to be involved too.”

Cyprus are in action at Hungary tonight before hosting Sweden next Tuesday.

And Kyprianou has been enjoying the build up to the games.

“It’s been good,” said Kyprianou.

“I’ve enjoyed the training and preparations so far.

“Spending the first two days in Cyprus with some sunshine and grass was an added bonus.

“However we are in Hungary now so it feels more like home.”

Kyprianou will now be hoping to impress enough in training to secure a starting berth.

And making his debut would be another huge high for the defender.

“The most important thing now is to focus on delivering a good performance,” said Kyprianou.

“That’s what I’m doing and obviously we want to get a good result to hopefully give us a chance of qualification.”

Kyprianou will miss out out on the Shrimpers’ clash with Rotherham United at Roots Hall this weekend along with right-back Jason Demetriou who has been selected in the senior Cyprus squad for their friendly with Montenegro.