Under-21 player Mallı chooses Turkey over Germany

Germany under-21 player Yunus Mallı has decided to play for Turkey's senior team instead of the world champions, his uncle and adviser said Thursday.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has put in some impressive displays for Mainz this term and played for Germany in June's under-21 championship, with reports saying Germany coach Joachim Loew was keeping a close eye on his progress.

However, uncle Ilhan Malli told Kicker: "Even though it has been a difficult decision, it is the next step in his career. The Turks have put a lot of effort in and the procedures regarding dual citizenship are also clarified."

Mallı was born in the German city of Kassel to Turkish parents and was European champion with the German under-17s. However, the lure of a seemingly definite squad place in Euro 2016, with Turkey having qualified, proved too much.

"If everything had gone quicker, I would already have invited Yunus to the Euro qualification games in the Czech Republic and against Iceland," said Turkey coach Fatih Terim.

World Cup winner Mesut Özil has the same background as Malli but famously opted for Germany rather than Turkey.