The German Football Association (DFB) wants compensation for development players who move to other countries

The German Football Federation (DFB) wants compensation when players choose to represent other countries after representing Germany at youth level.

“It simply does not seem logical to me why a player who has been coached mainly at his club for five years, but also as a junior partner by the federation, should be able to switch national associations for free,” said Andreas Rettig, director of the DFB. dpa on Tuesday.

German-born Juventus star Kenan Yıldız is a Turkish international and has played for the Turkish youth teams. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Can Uzun also rejected Germany in favor of Turkey.

Former Hertha Berlin striker Ibrahim Maza, now playing for Bayer Leverkusen, plays for Algeria after playing for Germany at youth level. German youth internationals Muhammed Damar and Nicolo Tresoldi are reportedly being courted by Turkey and Italy respectively, with daily newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau reporting on Sunday that Nuremberg defender Fabio Gruber has chosen to represent Peru.

«We are currently investigating whether there is an opportunity for coaching compensation when players change national associations, Rettig said. «This issue has not yet been comprehensively addressed. But coaching must be worthwhile for both parties, the player and the coach.”

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In Germany, players with one or two foreign-born parents have long chosen to represent the country of their roots, while the country has also benefited from immigration, as players such as İlkay Gundogan, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Gerald Asamoah have contributed to the national team’s success.

Cologne teenager Said El Mala was called up for this week’s German World Cup qualifiers last week and at least 12 players in the latest squad could have opted to represent other countries. Injured Jamal Musiala opted for Germany after playing for English youth teams.

«In Germany, 43% of children under the age of five have dual nationality. When they are 10 or 12 years older, they can decide: do I prefer the (German) eagle or, for example, the (Turkish) crescent?» said Rettig.

«We have analyzed the selection lists within the federation from under 15 to under 21. The percentage there is significantly higher than the mentioned 43%. There are age groups in which seven or eight players from the starting eleven have dual nationality.»

FIFA should approve and enforce any system of compensation payments. Other countries such as France, England, Switzerland and the Netherlands can also expect windfalls if homegrown players transfer to other teams.

Published on November 11, 2025