Other Sports Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizen

aturnis · 12-30-2014, 12:57 AM

Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizenhttp://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014...tizen-arsenal#

Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has become a United States citizen and plans to commit to U.S. soccer, reports the Washington Post.

According to the report, Zalalem was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process and now just needs FIFA approval, which is believed to be "a perfunctory exercise."

• STRAUS: Best, worst from Brazil: 2014 World Cup superlatives

Becoming a U.S. citizen would allow the 17-year-old to play for the U.S., Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (his family's homeland), but he has told American officials that he will play for the U.S., according to the Post.

The earliest that Zalalem could be called up to the U.S. men's national team by Jurgen Klinsmann is in late March, according to the Post.

From the report:

Zelalem is eligible for a U.S. passport through the Child Citizenship Act, a federal law that allows offspring of naturalized parents to also become citizens. Zelalem’s father, Zelalem Woldyes, was naturalized this year. The law applies to children under 18 only; Zelalem turns 18 on Jan. 26 -- an approaching deadline that had raised anxiety among U.S. supporters and officials.

• LYTTLETON: Transfer options as window nears

Zelalem spent several years of his childhood in the United States in the Maryland area. He joined Arsenal's under-21s in April 2013, then made his debut with Arsenal's senior team in January. In March, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

- Molly Geary

Gedion Zelalem 2014 | Goals & Skills | Arsenal F…: http://youtu.be/Q_zpnczK3kA

cosmo20002 · 12-30-2014, 12:58 AM

aturnis · 12-30-2014, 12:58 AM

The kid is a surgeon. Very exciting for USA.

Don Corlemahomes · 12-30-2014, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aturnis

The kid is a surgeon. Very exciting for USA.

Wow, pro soccer player and a surgeon? He must be busy.

Prison Bitch · 12-30-2014, 01:09 AM

Well that certainly takes the sting out of missing the playoffs

Don Corlemahomes · 12-30-2014, 01:15 AM

The world will take notice when we bust out Ethiopian Doogie Howser

BWillie · 12-30-2014, 01:22 AM

I think this is bullshit. I hate it when American basketball players who arent good enough to play for USA play for another country, and I hate it even when foriegn players come play for the US and it makes them better. Play for your own god damned country..i dont care if you help the us team or not. Have some god damned loyalty for ****s sake. And why on earth did US soccer hire a German coach? Ridiculous

Dante84 · 12-30-2014, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I think this is bullshit. I hate it when American basketball players who arent good enough to play for USA play for another country, and I hate it even when foriegn players come play for the US and it makes them better. Play for your own god damned country..i dont care if you help the us team or not. Have some god damned loyalty for ****s sake. And why on earth did US soccer hire a German coach? Ridiculous

#GoHomeTamba

Dante84 · 12-30-2014, 02:06 AM

The guy is legally becoming a US Citizen. He is no less American than me once he takes that oath. Glad to have him.

RobBlake · 12-30-2014, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I think this is bullshit. I hate it when American basketball players who arent good enough to play for USA play for another country, and I hate it even when foriegn players come play for the US and it makes them better. Play for your own god damned country..i dont care if you help the us team or not. Have some god damned loyalty for ****s sake. And why on earth did US soccer hire a German coach? Ridiculous

i don't mind it. I want guys who want to play for us. This could potentially be huge for the US program

NJChiefsFan · 12-30-2014, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA_T_84

#GoHomeTamba

That's a completely different case altogether. Playing for a league in a country and playing for a country are miles apart.

When a player has a parent born in that country, I have no problem with a "decision" to become part of one country's program or another. When they are making a change to a country and the decision is based on playing for that country on a national sports level, I get leery. It's pretty close to a free agency which is what bothers me.

Now in this case, I am really glad that U.S. Soccer is getting this kid, and I will be all about him in the future. But I wouldn't have a problem with rules making a person have a parent born in the country, or perhaps lowering the age restriction to 12 instead of 18.

NJChiefsFan · 12-30-2014, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA_T_84

The guy is legally becoming a US Citizen. He is no less American than me once he takes that oath. Glad to have him.

It's not really about whether he is "American". It's about whether people should just be able to pick and choose what country they represent on a national level for sports. Part of the whole intrigue with national sports is about what country can grow the best talent ect.

Silock · 12-30-2014, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

That's a completely different case altogether. Playing for a league in a country and playing for a country are miles apart.

When a player has a parent born in that country, I have no problem with a "decision" to become part of one country's program or another. When they are making a change to a country and the decision is based on playing for that country on a national sports level, I get leery. It's pretty close to a free agency which is what bothers me.

Now in this case, I am really glad that U.S. Soccer is getting this kid, and I will be all about him in the future. But I wouldn't have a problem with rules making a person have a parent born in the country, or perhaps lowering the age restriction to 12 instead of 18.

It's not really free agency, because once he plays a game for the US, he's locked in. Can't ever change.

NJChiefsFan · 12-30-2014, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

It's not really free agency, because once he plays a game for the US, he's locked in. Can't ever change.

I know that. But prior to that it essentially could be. Any country could try to pull in players as long as they are under 18. That's why I would change it to like 12. I believe you are allowed to play a friendly and not have it count as being locked in.

**LoneWolf** · 12-30-2014, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I think this is bullshit. I hate it when American basketball players who arent good enough to play for USA play for another country, and I hate it even when foriegn players come play for the US and it makes them better. Play for your own god damned country..i dont care if you help the us team or not. Have some god damned loyalty for ****s sake. And why on earth did US soccer hire a German coach? Ridiculous

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, but **** them if they want to play soccer for our national team. Disloyal pieces of shit.

12-30-2014, 12:57 AM
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizen Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizenhttp://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014...tizen-arsenal# Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has become a United States citizen and plans to commit to U.S. soccer, reports the Washington Post. According to the report, Zalalem was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process and now just needs FIFA approval, which is believed to be "a perfunctory exercise." • STRAUS: Best, worst from Brazil: 2014 World Cup superlatives Becoming a U.S. citizen would allow the 17-year-old to play for the U.S., Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (his family's homeland), but he has told American officials that he will play for the U.S., according to the Post. The earliest that Zalalem could be called up to the U.S. men's national team by Jurgen Klinsmann is in late March, according to the Post. From the report: Zelalem is eligible for a U.S. passport through the Child Citizenship Act, a federal law that allows offspring of naturalized parents to also become citizens. Zelalem’s father, Zelalem Woldyes, was naturalized this year. The law applies to children under 18 only; Zelalem turns 18 on Jan. 26 -- an approaching deadline that had raised anxiety among U.S. supporters and officials. • LYTTLETON: Transfer options as window nears Zelalem spent several years of his childhood in the United States in the Maryland area. He joined Arsenal's under-21s in April 2013, then made his debut with Arsenal's senior team in January. In March, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal. - Molly Geary Gedion Zelalem 2014 \| Goals & Skills \| Arsenal F…: http://youtu.be/Q_zpnczK3kA
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12-30-2014, 12:58 AM	#2
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12-30-2014, 12:58 AM	#3
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12-30-2014, 01:09 AM	#5
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12-30-2014, 01:22 AM	#7
BWillie Future NBA Finals MVP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2461241	I think this is bullshit. I hate it when American basketball players who arent good enough to play for USA play for another country, and I hate it even when foriegn players come play for the US and it makes them better. Play for your own god damned country..i dont care if you help the us team or not. Have some god damned loyalty for **s sake. And why on earth did US soccer hire a German coach? Ridiculous __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.**
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12-30-2014, 02:06 AM	#9
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $1811996 VARSITY	The guy is legally becoming a US Citizen. He is no less American than me once he takes that oath. Glad to have him. __________________ ..
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