Gedion Zelalem starts process to join US Soccer

Promising young midfielder Gedion Zelalem has obtained his U.S. citizenship and the process is underway for him to join the U.S. men's national team.

Zelalem made his Champions League debut with Arsenal earlier this month. The 17-year-old, who had played as a youth for Germany, was able to become a citizen after his father obtained U.S. citizenship.

U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati went to Twitter on Tuesday to post: "Gedion Zelalem is now a U.S. citizen. At his request we have started the FIFA process which would allow him to be eligible for the #USMNT."

Zelalem was born in Germany to Ethiopian parents. He lived in Maryland for six years before going to Arsenal's youth academy when he was 16.