A FOOTBALLER whose family roots lay firmly in Wrexham has made his debut for Wales.

Cymru drew 0-0 with Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday, September 6 in a UEFA Nations League match.

And it was a night to remember for Lewis Koumas as he earned his first cap for his country.

The 18-year-old replaced Sorba Thomas in the 72nd minute of the tie which was also manager Craig Bellamy's first game in charge of the Wales side.

Lewis is the son of former Premier League star Jason Koumas, who was born and grew up in Wrexham.

Jason played youth football at the Liverpool Academy with players such as Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.

However, he did not sign Youth Training Scheme forms with the club, instead opting to join Tranmere Rovers.

He was signed by West Bromwich Albion for £2.25m in August 2002. Five years later he made the switch to Wigan Athletic, who paid £5.3 million for him.

TOP STORIES TODAY

The midfielder played 34 times for Wales, scoring 10 goals.

Now, son Lewis will be looking to follow in his father's footsteps on the international scene.

His debut for Cymru came 15 years and 162 days after his dad's last appearance for his country, which came in a 2-0 defeat against Finland in March 2009, and saw him line-up alongside Lewis' now-manager Bellamy.

Reacting to his first Wales cap, Lewis said: "What dreams are made of, Competitive debut for wales in the nations league, so much more to come. Diolch Cefnogwyr Cymru."

Born in Chester, Lewis is a midfielder/forward who is already being tipped to enjoy a great career in professional football.

He joined the Liverpool academy as an 11-year old in November 2016, having spent three years with the academy of Tranmere Rovers. 

He then signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in January 2023.

Lewis first appeared in the Reds' senior squad for the first time on December 14, 2023, remaining an unused substitute in a 2–1 loss to Union SG in the Europa League.

But it was his full debut for the first team in February that showed his true potential to the world as he netted in the first-half of a 3-0 win over the Saints in the historic FA Cup. 

At international level, Lewis was eligible to play for England (having been born in Chester), as well as Wales through his father and Cyprus through his paternal grandfather.

The Koumas family roots are still set firmly within the Wrexham area.

They have been serving chips to the people of Wrexham since the family first arrived in the town from Cyprus in 1975.

They have had shops in Borras and the town centre and the family currently run the Everland Fish Bar on Market Street.