When Tomas Galvez made his international debut for Finland in January, it was a huge moment of pride for his multi-national family. But it wasn't a firm decision on Galvez's part that he would represent the country for the rest of his career.

His first cap came in a friendly, meaning he would still be able to represent another country - and he qualifies for both England and Spain. Finland offers Galvez a chance to play international football at a higher level than his other two options, but the Manchester City academy left-back is ambitious and is purely focused on development at this stage of his career.

Now, Galvez is set to make his competitive debut for Finland this week, taking him a step closer to locking in the Nordic country as his international team going forward. In Helsinki, there is plenty of excitement over his potential in a position that has plagued the Finnish for years.

ALSO READ: Man City full-back Tom Galvez is a throwback who can offer Pep Guardiola something different

ALSO READ: Erling Haaland suffers recurrence of ankle injury to plunge Man City into deeper injury crisis

New FIFA rules mean players can still switch international allegiance if they have played no more than three competitive matches at senior level before turning 21. Even if Galvez, 18, plays against Northern Ireland on Friday and San Marino on Monday, he would still technically be able to represent England or Spain in future.

Finland can't qualify automatically for Euro 2024, but will be part of the play-offs to try and secure one of the final three spots, owing to their performance in the Nations League. If Galvez impresses in November, he could be involved in March and seal Finland as his international team.

Speaking to national reporters this week, he said: "I would love to play tomorrow and get my first [competitive] debut for Finland. Time will tell. I like to classify myself as an attacking full-back, I like to get forward, get passes in behind, but I do my defensive duties as well.

“I like to make tackles, one-on-one defending. I’m a tidy player on the ball I like to think. Hopefully I can show my qualities tomorrow if I play… “I think I’ve had a good start to the season with the under-21s and we’ll see what happens [at club level]."

When MEN Sport spoke to Galvez earlier this season, he spoke of pride at representing Finland, but appeared to stress that it was the best option for his immediate development, rather than committing either way to his long-term plans.

"Spain was an option as well," he said. "If you look at it for my career-wise, I'm trying to break through as quickly as I can. I spoke to my agents, family, people around me. They all agreed that Finland is potentially one of the best opportunities I've got right now.

"England is stereotypically the harder country to get into for obvious reasons, for me Finland is the right option right now. The future will tell what happens."

Now, though, he appears to have set his sights more firmly on pushing on with Finland, as he told reporters this week: "I picked Finland as it’s just the best place for me to be right now. I’ve been called up to the first team and that might not happen if I chose another nation, I don’t know.

“Regardless I’m happy to play for this country, making my mum and my family proud and I hope I can play well in the future for Finland.”

There is excitement in Finland at Galvez's potential, even if he is yet to make a senior debut at club level. Former City youngster Shea Charles is the only other player to have gone through the academy having played for his national team before a club debut - had Charles not been sent off for Northern Ireland last time out, the duo would have faced each other on Friday.

Galvez has joined him with his friendly appearance in January, but can add to his caps with a first competitive appearance or two this week, joining Charles in an exclusive club. Loanee Alexander Robertson - who is impressing this season at Portsmouth - had made his senior debut out on loan before making his Australia debut last season, but is another to play for their country before City.

Finland have struggled to find a reliable left-back in recent years, and don't have enough good full-backs. There is still regret in the country at losing Carl Jenkinson to England (where he made one cap), showing their shortage over the last decade for a decent option in that position. In the last camp, they called up another academy player without a senior club appearance, from HJK Helsinki, to see if he could be their answer on the left.

So Galvez, a traditional, attacking, high-pressing left-back, could fill a void - and they seem keen to tie him down for the future. City are nurturing the youngster into an attacking defender, who offers something different to the likes of Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake when it comes to inverting into midfield.

Even without a senior appearance to his name back at City, hopes are high for Galvez. It may be too early to say if Galvez could make the grade at the Etihad (even with their own long-standing left-back issues) but the growing number of City academy graduates in the top five leagues of European football is an indicator of the career he could have.

City's annual report, published this week, boasted of 64 academy graduates playing in the top five leagues or English professional system, and that figure will have grown since. Only two of Finland's latest squad play in the top five leagues in Europe - and City have sold six academy graduates for more than the most expensive Finnish player (a reported £11.5m), four of whom never made their senior debut for the club.

Even at 18, Galvez is a player generating excitement back in the country of his mother's birth. If he gets the chance to show his qualities, there is every chance he will take it. And a senior club debut won't be too far behind.