The son of a Serahule migrant has become the first foreign-born to play for Malaysia’s national team, Harimau Malaya.

Muhamadou Sumareh, who was granted Malaysian citizen recently, will make his debut on Friday when the national team takes on Sri Lanka in a friendly in Colombia.

He moved to the Southeast Asian country with his parents in 2004 when he was only 13-year-old.

According to media reports, Sumareh feels he is indebted to Malaysia for granting him citizenship and also to include him in the national team.

He disclosed the Gambia Football Federation is not angry at his decision to represent his new country.

“The Gambian coach has always supported me, he’s not mad or angry,” he told Malaysian journalists.

However, Sumareh added: “Some have questioned why I have opted not to represent Gambia. It is simple... I am proud to call Malaysia my home now.”