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Julian Green’s switch to United States approved by FIFA, immediately eligible to play for USMNT

U19 Scotland v U19 Germany - U19 Euro Qualifier

MINSK, BELARUS - OCTOBER 15: Julian Greene (C) of Germany is challenged by Scott Mikkena (L) and John Souttar (R) of Scotland during the match between U19 Germany and U19 Scotland in the U19 Euro Qualifier on October 15, 2013 in Minsk, Belarus. (Photo by Maksim Malinouski/Epsilon/Getty Images)

Epsilon

FIFA has approved the change of nationality of Julian Green from Germany to the United States.

Green, who was born in Tampa, Florida and currently plays for Bayern Munich II in the fourth tier of German soccer, is a dual citizen of Germany and the United States.

When Green first landed on the U.S. Soccer radar a few years back, most believed the highly-rated winger was a long-shot to end up in the Stars & Stripes.

Odds of a switch narrowed last month when Green trained with the U.S. squad before the friendly against Ukraine and then toppled last week when head coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced that Green had chosen to play international soccer for the U.S..

Soon thereafter U.S. Soccer confirmed Green’s decision to embark on a ‘Change of Association’, a one-time switch that FIFA makes affordable to players of dual citizenship who have already appeared for one country in a competitive match. The 18-year-old had previously appeared for Germany in a European U-19 Championship qualifier.

The story came full circle earlier today when Green’s approved switch and immediate eligibility was confirmed via Twitter by U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati:

This year Green has scored 15 goals in 22 appearances for Bayern’s second team, helping the club to 1st place in the Regionalliga. The winger is expected to join the U.S. team for training ahead of its April friendly against Mexico and has been widely tipped for the squad Klinsmann takes to this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Follow @mprindi