New Delhi: Jann Fiete-Arp, Germany’s captain in the just concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup became the first player born in the 21st century to score a goal in the Bundesliga. The forward came on as a substitue to score Hamburg’s only goal in the 72nd minute in the 1-2 defeat against Hertha Berlin to achieve the unique feat.
“He’s becoming more and more of an option, each week he spends with us,” said Hamburg coach Markus Gisdo happy with the lad’s development.
Hamburger SV has not have a good season so far in the German League and lie at the bottom-half of the table with just seven points from 10 matches. The club were facing the same fate against Hertha Berlin and were 2 goals down within 50 minutes, until Arp came on as a substitue in 56th minute. However although he scored a goal, he could not inspire his team to victory as Hamburg dropped further down the table.
Unlike his club’s disappointment, Arp however has had a stellar season so far. He led Germany to the quarter-finals of the U-17 World Cup scoring five goals in five matches, before losing to Brazil. Just last month he became first player born after 1st January 2000 to play in the Bundesliga, when he came on against Werder Bremen etching his name into history.
“The lad’s got everything, really everything,” said former Hamburg legend Horst Hrubesch last month. “I’ve rarely seen a player who can score a goal out of nothing like he can,” said Hamburg legend Horst Hrubesch, as quoted by the official website of the league.
The 17-year-old forward who began his career with SV Wahlstedt before joining Hamburg’s academy in 2010, seems to be getting better with age. He has already scored 26 goals in just 21 games for the youth team of the club before breaking into the first team. Scouts from many top clubs across Europe have been chasing the youngster who is destined for greatness.