Ghana coach CK Akonnor has handed Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku his maiden call up into the senior national team – The Black Star – ahead of the country’s friendly game with Mali.

The call up of the tall defender comes as a huge surprise to many as he’s not caught the attention of the Ghanaian media.

The tall defender who is 26 years is also eligible to play for Senegal but is likely to the tied by the four times AFCON winners with Akoonor showing special delight for the Goliath-like defender.

Born in the southern part of France in Montpelier, Djiku spent his youth career at Bastia, playing for the reserve team until 2014, when he was promoted to the senior team.

After spending three years at the club, he joined Caen making his debut in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Évian in December 2013.

On 11 July 2017, he joined Ligue 1 side Stade Malherbe Caen on a four-year contract.

He joined Strasbourg in the summer of 2019 and has since played 29 games with a goal for the side.

The athletic defender is born to a Ghanaian father from Asankragua and a French mother.