Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem completes U.S. citizenship process

(Dec 30, 2014, (espnfc))--The recruiting train for the U.S. men's national team shows no signs of slowing down, with Arsenal youth star Gedion Zelalem not only acquiring U.S. citizenship but also declaring his intention to suit up for the U.S. national team, according to U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger (left) talks to Zelalem in training ahead of the Galatasaray contest in December

The Washington Post's Steven Goff first reported that the 17-year-old was joining the ranks of other dual nationals who have pledged their international soccer futures to the U.S. like Julian Green, Aron Johannsson and John Brooks, all of whom suited up for the U.S. at this past summer's World Cup.

Zelalem acquired his citizenship courtesy of the Child Citizenship Act, which allows the minor children of naturalized U.S. citizens to obtain citizenship themselves. Zelalem's father, Zelalem Wolydes, recently became a U.S. citizen. Zelalem represented Germany at the youth level but must still file a one-time switch with FIFA to become eligible to play for the U.S. national team, a step believed to be a rather simple bureaucratic process. Read more from espnfc »

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