article_snippet: Arsenal's 18-year-old German-born midfielder Gedion Zelalem will go straight into the USA national team if FIFA grant Arsenal's 18-year-old German-born midfielder eligibility, USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann told reporters on Thursday.
article_snippet: Zelalem was born in Berlin and played for Germany at youth level and was also eligible to play for Ethiopia through Zelalem parents.
article_snippet: However the player has expressed a desire to play for the United States and gained U.S. citizenship in December, opening the door to a potential switch pending permission from the world governing body.
article_snippet: I think Gedion Zelalem in action for Arsenal against Galatasaray in the Champions League in December 2014 . ' is already at a level that Gedion Zelalem in action for Arsenal against Galatasaray in the Champions League in December 2014 . ' can definitely play with the senior team,' USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann told reporters.
article_snippet: USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann hopes that FIFA grants Zelalem permission to play for USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann side .
article_snippet: Zelalem lived in the United States from 2006 until 2013 when Zelalem joined London club Arsenal.
article_snippet: Zelalem, playing for the Gunners during Zelalem debut last year against Coventry, lived in USA from 2006-13 .
article_snippet: FIFA rules, designed to stop players from being granted citizenship for entirely football reasons, require players to live in a country for five years after players 18th birthday before players are eligible.
article_snippet: The U.S. is hopeful of being granted a waiver in the case of Zelalem, given that his move to a country as a schoolboy had nothing to do with soccer.
highlights_snippet: Zelalem gained U.S. citizenship in December but needs FIFA's permission .
  