17 Facts About Gedion Zelalem

Gedion Zelalem was born on January 26,1997 and is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club New Mexico United.

Internationally, Gedion Zelalem made appearances for Germany's under-15 team, under-16 team and under-17 team during 2012 and 2013.

Gedion Zelalem became a US citizen on December 2,2014, and FIFA subsequently approved his eligibility to play for the United States on May 13,2015.

Gedion Zelalem started playing football at the age of five for German club BFC Germania 1888.

Gedion Zelalem emigrated to the United States with his father in 2006, following his mother's death in the previous year, and settled in the Washington, DC suburbs He played with several teams: first with MSC United, Bethesda Soccer Club and BNC Revolution, before joining the elite club team Olney Rangers and the varsity team at Walter Johnson High School in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Gedion Zelalem started out playing in Arsenal's under-16s squad, before graduating into the under-21s in April 2013.

In July 2013, Gedion Zelalem was included in Arsenal's 24-man squad for their Asia tour.

Limited by injuries, Gedion Zelalem made seven league appearances in a season that culminated with winning the MLS Cup.

Two days later, Gedion Zelalem signed a one-year contract extension with option years in 2023 and 2024.

Ethiopia's coach hoped Gedion Zelalem would opt to play for Ethiopia, but Gedion Zelalem turned down the opportunity.

Gedion Zelalem played for Germany's under-15 and under-16 sides, making two appearances for the under-15s and eight appearances for the under-16s.

In November 2013, Gedion Zelalem represented Germany at under-17 level in a friendly versus Spain.

Gedion Zelalem began training with the United States under-15 side in 2012, but was unable to play in matches at that time due to being classified as a permanent resident, but not yet a US citizen.

Gedion Zelalem would be able to retain his German passport which allows him to live and work in the European Union without restrictions.

The Washington Post reported that Gedion Zelalem became a US citizen on December 29,2014, and that Gedion Zelalem had applied for an expedited US passport.

Gulati stated US Soccer filed for an exception, since Gedion Zelalem attended middle school in the United States.

Gedion Zelalem was approved to play for the United States and was added to the United States squad for the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup on May 13,2015.