Sacramento Republic Defender Emrah Klimenta Called up to Montenegro National Team

Sacramento Republic FC announced this afternoon that right back Emrah Klimenta has been called up to the Montenegro National Team camp ahead of a friendly against Turkey. Klimenta will join the team in Podgorica, Montenegro on Friday, May 20th and will stay through the friendly on May 29th.

Already an important part of the Republic's three-year history, Klimenta now goes into the history books as the first active first team player to be called up their respective national team.

"This is a really proud moment for Emrah and his family," said Republic FC Head Coach Paul Buckle in the team's press release. "It could not happen to a nicer lad. He is brilliant to work with, he works very hard and absolutely deserves this opportunity with his national team. Myself, the players and everybody else at the club wish him all the best."

While away with the national team, Klimenta will miss out on three Republic matches, a pair of friendlies against Liverpool U-21s and a league match against Swope Park Rangers on May 28th. Although he might not have played in the friendlies, he will definitely be missed against SPR.

Possible backups for Klimenta in those matches could be Mike da Fonte, who played as a fullback prior to his conversion to center back for New York Red Bulls II last year, and Kip Colvey, a San Jose Earthquakes fullback who has played one game with the Republic on loan.

Klimenta faces some stiff competition if he hopes to make an impression in his first national team camp. Elsad Zverotić, who at 29 is the player with the most caps ever for the Montenegro national team, plays right back both for the national team and his club FC Sion in the Swiss Super League. Another competitor is Marko Vešović, a right wing back for Croatian club HNK Rijeka on loan from Italian Serie B club Spezia Calcio who was last called up June 2015.

We at Indomitable City Soccer would like to extend a huge congratulations to Emrah for this momentous event in his career.

What do you think of this team record-setting call-up? Sound off in the comments below.