Germany Reward Hertha's Torunarigha For Snubbing Nigeria, To Train With Senior Team

Published: May 20, 2018

Hertha BSC's young defender Jordan Torunarigha has been rewarded with a call-up to Germany U20 team few weeks after he turned down the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup.

Torunarigha was promoted to Germany U21 national team in November 2017 and made his debut for the side against Kosovo two months ago after he was an unused substitute in the Euro U21 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Israel.

The central defender's latest invitation to the U20s will look like a demotion but that is not the case as he will train with Germany's senior squad containing the likes of Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, Man City's Leroy Sane and Bayern Munich's Jérôme Boateng ahead of their trip to Russia for the World Cup.

''We act as a training partner, so that the team can seriously and seriously prepare for the World Cup in Russia," Germany U20 coach Frank Kramer told the official website of the German Federation.

''For the nominated guys, working with the national team on the pitch is a tremendously valuable experience and they are thrilled to be a small part of the World Cup preparation. ''

Born in Chemnitz, Germany 20 years ago, Torunarigha has racked up 17 appearances for Germany's youth teams since his maiden appearance against United States U18s in December 2014.

The training camp will hold in Eppan in South Tyrol from 27 to 31 May.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : dfb.de