SAINTS youngster and Olyroo Caleb Watts insists you can’t “not get excited” about the prospect of playing the world’s best youngsters at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been selected to represent Australia at the Games after making his senior debut in the FA Cup in January, before backing it up with three Premier League appearances.

These Games will be the first time the Olyroos return to the Olympic arena since Beijing 2008, and they will face Argentina, Spain and Egypt in Group C.

Watts, who featured extensively in the Under-18 Premier League and Premier League 2 for Saints, is suitably thrilled for his first appearance at an Olympics – a prestigious tournament for the young players.

He told the Socceroos website: "When I saw the (Olympic) group, I was really excited. Obviously there are no slouchers in this tournament, but we’ll be against some of the best teams here, and the best players here.

"I don’t think you can not get excited about something like that. To test yourselves against some of the best young players in the world is a dream come true, really."

It will not be Watts’ first experience of an international tournament with the young Aussies, after he made the squad for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2019.

Watts started every game as the Joeys made it out of the group stage but fell at the first knockout hurdle when they faced senior World Cup winners France, losing 4-0.

"The World Cup was great, really," Watts said.

"You get to see what else there is around the world, the standard of players you need to be better than, really, to make a decent career in the game.

"We got knocked out in a way none of us liked, but looking back it was a great experience and I have no doubt a lot of those French players will go on to make big names for themselves.

"We had some really good players, if we got another crack at it we’d probably do a bit better.

"The World Cup was a great experience, it added a lot to my footballing experience and how I play now.”

Watts and the Olyroos will begin their Olympic Games campaign on July 22 with a fixture against Argentina.