Korean-American player Castroop changes nationality to represent Korea
Korean-American mixed-race player Jens Castroop has confirmed that he is undergoing administrative procedures to play for the Korean national team instead of the German national team.
According to the international football governing body FIFA's association change platform, as of November 11 (local time), Castroop has changed his affiliated association from the German Football Association to the Korea Football Association (KFA).
This marks the most recent case of an association change among FIFA member countries and is the first instance of a new member joining the KFA since the platform was launched.
With this, Castroop has officially been recognized as a Korean player affiliated with the KFA. According to FIFA regulations, a player must apply to the FIFA Player Status Committee (PSC) for a change of sports nationality to change their affiliated association.
Multiplayer excelling in Bundesliga, possibility of joining the Korean national team increases
Castroop was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to a German father and a Korean mother.
He has been recognized as a football prodigy from a young age and played as a starting player for Nürnberg in the German second division last season.
Starting from the upcoming new season, he will be playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the German top division, the Bundesliga.
His main position is central midfielder, but he is also evaluated as a multipositional player capable of playing as a winger and full-back.
Despite being from the German youth national team, reports of Castroop hoping to be selected for the Korean national team have been circulating since last year.
As a result, Castroop's potential inclusion has become a hot topic among football fans, and former national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann has checked on Castroop multiple times.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo also had direct meetings with the player’s camp during the national team coaching staff's trip to Europe this January. In February, coach Hong mentioned, "Complex issues must be resolved before considering joining the national team."
Consequently, Castroop's debut for the Hong Myung-bo-led team has emerged as a new point of interest.
The Korean national football team is set to play two friendly matches against the United States and Mexico, both of which will be co-hosting the 2025 North and Central America World Cup, in September.
There are expectations that Castroop's skills will be assessed during these matches.
Image Source: Jens Castroop / gettyimageskorea, Coach Hong Myung-bo / News1
