The German Football Association have made a concrete move to beat their Nigerian counterparts to the services of highly-rated SC Freiburg youth teamer Jayden Umukoro, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

Umukoro is eligible to represent Germany internationally, as well as Nigeria's Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles through his father.

The DFB confirmed their squad for the second round of the European U17 Championship qualifiers on Thursday, with Umukoro named among the three goalkeepers selected by U17 coach André Pawlak.

Germany will face North Macedonia on Wednesday, March 25, take on hosts Slovenia on Saturday, March 28, and conclude their campaign against France on Tuesday, March 31.

Should Umukoro make his competitive debut for Germany in the Euro qualifiers, he would become provisionally cap-tied to the country, meaning he would need to apply for a change of association if he later opts to represent Nigeria.

The 16-year-old has already earned three caps for Germany U17s, all in friendly matches.

Umukoro has been with Freiburg for five years after joining from partner club SF Eintracht Freiburg and made his debut in the U17 Bundesliga this season.

He has cited AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Fenerbahce star Ederson as his role models.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: scfreiburg.com