Augsburg talent Noahkai Banks uncertain over future USA or Germany international allegiance
Augsburg defender and Hawaii native Noahkai Banks has spoken about his potential international options and shared his thoughts about the possible chance to represent co-hosts USA at this summer's FIFA World Cup.
Having joined Augsburg at the age of eight, Banks, whose mother is German, is still eligible for Germany despite receiving a call-up from the USA men's national team and being an unused substitute in a friendly against Japan in New Jersey last September.
He added: "I'm still undecided. I know there's a World Cup coming up, but I have a long career ahead of me, so I don't want to make it dependent on one tournament."
Banks has made 18 starts for Augsburg this season and has featured heavily in recent weeks as the club recovered from a poor start to climb to ninth with the best form in the Bundesliga currently.
His coach Manuel Baum says: "Noki can pull off tricks that a centre-back doesn't usually have, he has a great change of pace and is getting even more confident."
Sporting director Benni Weber says: "It's a great joy to see how he's developing, and how many decisive moments he has. He'll probably play for a very big club someday."
Augsburg face a stern test to their current good form when they visit RB Leipzig on Matchday 25 this Saturday (kick-off 3.30pm CET), although Banks' participation was in doubt in midweek due to an ankle injury sustained in training.
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