FC Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks has officially chosen to play for the German national team. The 19-year-old said at half-time in Augsburg's match against Union Berlin that his decision was final.
Banks says choice is final
Banks told Sky: "The decision is final, I'm German now."
He also said: "I thought about it for an extremely long time with my family and also did not play at the World Cup in the USA. I grew up here, I feel German and I want to wear the eagle on my chest."
Eligibility background
Banks also holds US citizenship through his father. Both Banks and Louey Ben Farhat had played for their fathers' home countries at youth level.
Ben Farhat had played for Tunisia's senior team.
What Antonio Di Salvo said
About a month earlier, Germany U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo said Louey Ben Farhat of Karlsruher SC and Banks had been persuaded to pursue a career with the German national team.
Di Salvo said: "We have been in discussions for a very, very long time. I'm proud that we were able to get the two players excited about the German national team."
He also said: "Both also had the chance, perhaps even to play at a World Cup."
GOAL report on the US side
GOAL reported that Banks passed up the World Cup with the USA and turned down an invitation from senior national team coach Mauricio Pochettino for the two friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in March.
GOAL reported that US legend Landon Donovan was among those left unhappy after Banks chose Germany.