Arsenal wonderkid Gedion Zelalem must choose between representing Germany, the USA and Ethiopia in international football after the German U17 coach called him up for an official game.
Arsenal playmaker Gedion Zelalem must make a decision on which country to represent rather sooner than expected.
There is a tug of war between Germany and the USA for the services of the 17 year-old wonderkid, who is predicted to have a huge future in the game.
Having just been called up to the German Under-17 squad by the DfB, Zelalem must now decide whether to commit his future to the country of his birth, Ethiopia – where his father comes from – or America, where he spent much of his teenage years.
The crucial factor is that although Zelalem has caps for the U15, U16 and indeed U17 Germany sides, this is the first time he would be playing an official competitive game for them.
Having not yet earned US citizenship, he would be unable to switch upon playing this game.
Arsenal would likely prefer Zelalem to be a German international, as he is currently ineligible for a work permit at present due to a lack of senior international appearances.
Gedion Zelalem named to German U17 team for Euro qualifier. If he plays, he can never play for the United States: http://t.co/oQIGekcWaQ
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 12, 2014
You can only switch to a country you were eligible for when playing 1st official youth game. Gedion is not US citizen now RT @hypton0: Why?
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 12, 2014