Arsenal's Zelalem nearing U.S. eligibility

[Zeppo]

Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem cleared by FIFA to play soccer for United States

Gedion Zelalem’s wait to play soccer for the United States is over.

Five months since becoming a U.S. citizen, the 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder who honed his game in the D.C. area was cleared by FIFA on Wednesday to play for the United States. His first assignment is the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand, which will begin May 30.

With the roster deadline Friday, FIFA recognized the U.S. Soccer Federation’s desire to settle the matter soon, multiple sources said. The squad will begin training in Australia this week.

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[Karl]

btw - Bricktop (expert on Youth Development) may wish to...

...comment on the part playing football at school played in the development of players and underscore his reasons on why schools have no part to play in 'football development'/Youth development in football in Jamaica?

What was his formal training in the United States?

He played his freshman season at Walter Johnson High, helping guide the Wildcats to the 2011 Maryland state championship game. His coach was Mike Williams, who played on the Howard University squad that advanced to the 1988 NCAA final. Mostly, though, Gedion grew as a player with Olney Rangers, an elite club based in Maryland. The coach was Matt Pilkington, a Brit who starred at George Washington University. Several of Gedion’s Olney teammates are now playing in U.S. colleges: Jake Rozhansky (Virginia), Chase Gasper (UCLA) and Jeremy Ebobisse (Duke), among others.

Who discovered Gedion for Arsenal?

Danny Karbassiyoon, a native of Roanoke, Va., who signed with Arsenal out of high school in 2003 and went on to play for Ipswich Town and Burnley. He retired prematurely because of knee problems and became a U.S.-based Arsenal scout.

With Gedion on board, should we expect the United States to gain world domination?

Deep breaths, everyone. He is not yet 18. He has never played a first-team league match. He has never played in official international competition. Physically, he looks his age. He is a highly regarded prospect in an ideal learning environment. Because of his Arsenal and German ties, as well as his decision to play for the United States instead of Germany, expectations are already soaring. Over the years, other can’t-miss Americans have failed to meet impossible expectations at various stages of their career (i.e. Freddy Adu, Brek Shea and Jozy Altidore). With proper growth at Arsenal and guidance in the U.S. system, he could become the central conductor American soccer has so dearly craved.

- http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...edion-zelalem/

[Karl]

Thanks!
Could be my GUNNERS next Cesc. ...and USA's ultimate creator???

Soccer America recently posted some video clips of him. He looks 'good'...very 'good'.

[Zeppo]

Everything you need to know about U.S. prospect Gedion Zelalem

[Karl]

Another promising player added to that growing US list of youth talent. Klinsman building for 2018 & beyond. Also made changes to coaching/technical staff.

Please post the information on changes to the coaching staff and please also add a link to the info?
Thanks!

[Zeppo]

Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem is a U.S. citizen

Gedion Zelalem is a U.S. citizen.

The German-born midfielder, who played six years of youth soccer in the D.C. area before signing with Arsenal in 2013, was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process, clearing the way to represent the United States in international competition, the Insider has learned.

Zelalem, 17, must now await FIFA approval, but that is believed to be a perfunctory exercise. Although he will remain eligible for Germany and Ethiopia (his family’s homeland), Zelalem has told friends and American officials that he plans to commit to the U.S. program, multiple sources said. The fact he flew to Washington from London during Arsenal’s normal weekly training routine further revealed his intentions.

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[USAF]

Another promising player added to that growing US list of youth talent. Klinsman building for 2018 & beyond. Also made changes to coaching/technical staff.

[HL]

Long term investment....

[Zeppo]

Arsenal’s Zelalem nearing U.S. eligibility

Is Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem about to pledge his future to the U.S. national team?

The Insider has learned Zelalem is close to becoming an American citizen, and by virtue, become eligible to represent the United States in international competition. Zelalem, who turned 17 in January, is believed to be in Washington with his father this weekend for naturalization purposes. By the time they return to London, both will likely be carrying U.S. passports.

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