FIFA approve Jens Castrop’s switch of allegiance to South Korea | OneFootball

Jens Castrop (22) featured four times for the Germany U21 team but a knee injury ruled the midfielder out of the UEFA U21 European Championship. With little prospect of featuring for the Germany senior squad, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s new signing has changed allegiances and – as per the FIFA website – will now represent South Korea. Castrop was born to a German father and a Korean mother.

It brings an end to months of speculation after Jürgen Klinsmann tried to get Castrop to switch allegiances during his tenure as South Korea head coach which lasted 17 games. And now Myung-bo Hong has been watching the central-midfielder.

Who is Jens Castrop?

Born in Düsseldorf, Castrop came through FC Köln’s youth academy but failed to make a single first team appearance. That resulted in a loan spell at 2. Bundesliga side Nürnberg in 2022 which came permanent the following season in 2023 for €900k. After 92 appearances across all competitions and seven goals and nine assists for der Club, Borussia Mönchengladbach signed Castrop – who can also play at right-back – for €4.5m.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder