Palermo's Argentine defender Matias Silvestre has declared he wants to play for Italy.

The 27-year-old has been in Serie A since joining Catania in 2008 and, thanks to his ancestors, has an Italian passport.

"Considering my Italian origins, I would be proud to wear the Italy shirt," Silvestre told RAI Sport.

"I grew up, in football terms, in Italy, so this does feel like my home. I hope to receive an Azzurri call, as I continue to do my work on the field and try to prove I can play for the Nazionale.

"I will carry on waiting and improving. And hoping."