Kekuta Manneh is currently with the U.S. Men’s National Team for January camp and the Vancouver Whitecaps forward has taken a major step towards actually representing the U.S. on the international stage.

U.S. Soccer confirmed on Wednesday that Manneh has officially received his U.S. citizenship. Manneh remains in the process of completing eligibility requirements that would allow him to formally join the USMNT squad.

Born in Gambia, Manneh’s path towards citizenship began when he moves to the U.S. in 2010. Drafted fourth overall by the Whitecaps in 2013, Manneh has since commuted to Canada from Point Roberts, Washington in order to fulfill citizenship requirements.

The 22-year-old Whitecaps star, who has 22 career goals and 12 career assists in 98 MLS appearances, is currently with the USMNT for Jaunary camp, which concludes with friendlies against Serbia and Jamaica.