Joshua Zirkzee: Bayern product scouted by ex-Nigeria coach Rohr provides update on international future

Bayern Munich youth team product Joshua Zirkzee has provided an update on his international future, saying he dreams of playing for his country of birth, Netherlands at senior level. 

Born in Schiedam, Netherlands, Zirkzee qualifies to play for the Super Eagles through his Nigerian mother but the Royal Dutch Football Association are believed to be in pole position for his services, given that he is provisionally cap-tied to the European powerhouse. 

Zirkzee is one name that Super Eagles fans and Nigeria Football Federation have been keeping tabs on for some years after his exploits at past club Bayern Munich, where he forced his way into the first team picture whilst still a teenager. 

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr saw firsthand the qualities of Zirkzee when he personally scouted him on his full Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim in February 2020. 

Despite Rohr's ties with Bayern Munich, the former Bavarian defender's attempts to convince the dual national to switch his allegiance from Netherlands to Nigeria was nothing but a wild goose chase.

Nothing has changed with the Bologna star revealing that one of his targets is to play for Netherlands in a major tournament. 

Speaking to Italian sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zirkzee said: "My dream is to play for my country. Every kid in Netherlands that is a football player dreams of stepping in those shoes of Van Basten and all the other strikers that were after him. As a football player that's the highest you get. 

"Of course the trophies and everything but playing for your country is something special, playing for your country in a big tournament, let's say World Cup or European Championship, that's one of my dreams.

"Having the European Championship in Germany, the country where I also played, it would be a bit extra special. If I'm not there as a player, I am certainly there as a supporter."
 

Speculation over the international future of Zirkzee has been reignited on the back of his excellent performances for Bologna. 

The Manchester United and Arsenal linked striker has directly participated in fifteen goals in 26 games so far this season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fcbayern.com

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