Jurgen Klinsmann’s charm offensive has won the battle for Julian Green.
Green, an 18-year-old prospect at German super-club Bayern Munich, committed his international future to the United States on Tuesday. Green submitted an application to FIFA to permanently change his soccer nationality from German to American.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Julian has chosen to be a part of the U.S. National Team Programs,” U.S. men’s national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, according to USSoccer.com. “As we have said, he is a very special talent. We wanted him to feel comfortable with our program and listen to his heart when making this decision. I personally want to thank (chief executive) Karl Rummenigge and everyone at Bayern Munich for their support through this process. He is an exciting player with a tremendously bright future.”
Green was born at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., to an American father and a German mother. Green moved to Germany with his mother at age 2 and joined Bayern Munich’s youth academy at age 14.
Green is on the fringes of Bayern Munich’s all-conquering first team but has impressed for its reserves, scoring 15 goals in 21 games.
Green has been on Klinsmann’s radar since 2012 despite playing for Germany in official youth competition. Klinsmann has courted Green over the last 18 months, inviting him to practice with the U.S. senior team in late 2013 and 2014.
Green might now be eligible to play for the U.S. against Mexico on April 2. Klinsmann also is considering including him on the U.S. squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Watch Klinsmann discuss Green in the video below.
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Photo via Twitter/@HeyHayward
