Bundelisga promise picks USA over Germany national team
Bundesliga sensation, 19-year-old Berlin Union defender Lennard Maloney, has opted to represent the United States over Die Mannschaft.
The Bundesliga 2019-20 is set to feature yet another young American prospect after Union Berlin earned promotion after a dramatic play-off victory over Stuttgart.
Lennard Maloney, a Berlin-born defender, is the son of an American Air Force veteran, while his mother is German. At age 13, he joined the Union Berlin Academy, where he moved up through the categories up to the U19 side, where he made 23 appearances.
He made his senior debut in 2017-18 when he was 18-years-old. The following season he divided his time between school and the team, though his qualities - strong in the tackle and at ease in possession bringing the ball out from the back and transitioning into attack - led Union Berlin to snap him up on a contract until 2021.
National team
Maloney holds dual German-US citizenship and the young center-back speaks both languages fluently, but despite representing Germany twice at U18 and U19 level, Maloney is clear on switching his allegiance.
"Playing for the United States is one of my greatest dreams. Of course, it's also nice to play for Germany. But deep inside my heart, I really want to play for the USA. I don't know why; this feeling is just there," he said.
After choosing to play for the United States, Maloney recently featured for the U20 side but he didn't make the cut for the Poland World Cup.