Jonathan Klinsmann has been called up to the United States squad, his club Hertha Berlin have said.
Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann has been called up to the United States squad for the forthcoming friendlies against England and Italy after goalkeeper Zack Steffen and midfielder Darlington Nagbe withdrew from the team with injuries.
Klinsmann, the son of former U.S. head coach and Germany captain Jurgen Klinsmann, holds both German and American citizenship.
?? ROSTER UPDATE: @darlingtonnagbe & @zackstef_23 withdraw due to injuries, and GK Jonathan Klinsmann will join the squad for upcoming friendlies.
More » https://t.co/H2F6j0uo9H pic.twitter.com/S5L3BNz08x
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) November 12, 2018
The 21-year-old had been invited to take part in a Germany goalkeeper training camp in September, but was not included in U.S. caretaker coach Dave Sarachan's original squad for the prestige friendlies in London and Genk, Belgium respectively.
However, Columbus Crew SC keeper Steffen was ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered in his side's Eastern Conference semifinal second-leg loss to New York Red Bulls on Sunday, which opened the door for the former California-Berkeley man to get his first senior-level call up.
To celebrate the occasion, Jurgen Klinsmann congratulated his son via Twitter, advising the younger Klinsmann to "have fun!"
Congrats Jonathan !! Have fun !!
Glückwunsch Jonathan !! Viel Spass !! https://t.co/IK5bJWa8Mr— Jürgen Klinsmann (@J_Klinsmann) November 12, 2018
Jonathan Klinsmann would still be eligible to play for Germany if he was to make his debut for the United States in one of the friendlies. FIFA rules allow a player to switch allegiances until their first competitive match for a country.
Having joined Hertha last year, Klinsmann has played in a Europa League match for the senior team but has largely featured for the under-23s in the regional fourth division.
He has been part of the senior squad for one Bundesliga and one DFB Pokal match this season.
Source: espn.co.uk