Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has become a United States citizen and plans to commit to U.S. soccer, reports the Washington Post. According to the report, Zalalem was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process and now just needs FIFA approval, which is believed to be "a perfunctory exercise." Becoming a U.S. citizen would allow the 17-year-old to play for the U.S., Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (his family's homeland), but he has told American officials that he will play for the U.S., according to the Post.
Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has become a United States citizen and plans to commit to U.S. soccer, reports the Washington Post. According to the report, Zalalem was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process and now just needs FIFA approval, which is believed to be "a perfunctory exercise." Becoming a U.S. citizen would allow the 17-year-old to play for the U.S., Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (his family's homeland), but he has told American officials that he will play for the U.S., according to the Post.