Moukoko becomes youngest player in Bundesliga history with Dortmund debut



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The 16-year-old prodigy set a new first in the German top flight when he replaced Erling Haaland against Hertha Berlin.

Borussia Dortmund’s wonder boy Youssoufa Moukoko made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player to appear in a Bundesliga match.

Moukoko turned 16 on Friday and was immediately included in the Dortmund squad for their league clash at Hertha Berlin.

A rule change in the German top flight earlier this year has changed the minimum age requirement from 16 1/2 to 16, allowing for inclusion in the bank the day after your birthday.

And the young forward appeared in the 85th minute coming in for Erling Halaand, replacing the Norwegian, who fired four goals on Saturday to set a new Bundesliga record.

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At just 16 years and one day, that mark is likely to stick around for some time, once again showing Dortmund’s commitment to youth.

Moukoko was one of three teens to bench for Saturday’s clash, alongside Jude Bellingham, 17, and Giovanni Reyna, 18, while Erling Haaland, 20, started for the visitors against Hertha.

Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where he spent the first 10 years of his life before moving to Hamburg with his father, the prodigy began playing for Dortmund’s Under-17 team when he was just 12 years old after moving from St. Pauli and his appearance in The First Team was long awaited despite his tender age.

Former coach Michael Feichtenbeiner is just one of those who have seen Moukoko, who predicts great things for the forward.

The former Germany Under-16 coach told Goal and SPOX: “A talent like that doesn’t show up in Germany every five years.

“His football skills are simply exceptional and he is a player who can make a difference. He scored his goals everywhere, and there will be no end.

“Youssoufa will break many records in the Bundesliga.

“In an environment like Dortmund with so many young players, it’s a bit easier for him. You can see that in Jude Bellingham, who at 17 from England seems to have little trouble keeping up.”

Moukoko has also made an impact internationally, representing Germany at the U16 and U20 levels.

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