Three Germany Under-19 internationals to watch
Cologne's Said El Mala and RB Leipzig's Assan Ouédraogo are among the players to have made a name for themselves representing Germany U19 in the past. With their place in this summer's UEFA U19 European championship final now confirmed, we take a look at the next generation of stars making their breakthrough...
Francis Onyeka
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Elversberg (on loan from Bayer Leverkusen)
Date of birth: 29 April 2007
U19 appearances/goals: 13/14
Born in Germany to Nigerian parents, Francis Onyeka broke through on loan at Bundesliga 2’s Bochum in 2025/26, registering eight goals and one assist in 30 league appearances for the Ruhr club after graduating from Leverkusen’s famed youth academy.
Impressing for Germany’s youths, Onyeka has been prolific throughout, but none more so than since his promotion to the U19 squad. His 14th goal in 13 appearances for the age group was perhaps his most important yet - a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Ukraine to book Germany’s place in the UEFA U19 European championship final.
Watch: Onyeka opens his account for Bochum
Possessing a rangy frame, Onyeka’s low centre of gravity allows him to glide past markers, while excellent close control and composure makes the teenager a threat in the final third. “He is a fantastic talent who has come through the ranks at our club over many years and we want him to continue doing so,” explained Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes of Onyeka, who will spend 2026/27 on loan at Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg.
Otto Stange
Position: Striker
Club: Hamburg
Date of birth: 9 February 2007
U19 appearances/goals: 11/12
Hamburg’s Otto Stange played an important role in securing Germany’s place at this summer’s tournament, netting a brace in a 3-2 victory over Austria in March, but his equalising goal against Ukraine was perhaps more decisive in setting up a comeback semi-final win before Germany go in search of a third U19 European crown.
Averaging a goal every 60 minutes in the first half of 2025/26 while on loan at then Bundesliga 2 side Elversberg, Stange returned to parent club HSV during the winter window, where he provided much-needed depth in attack. Although yet to record a maiden Bundesliga strike, expect the 19-year-old to be handed opportunities next season by Merlin Polzin, who isn’t afraid to give young talents a chance.
“[He’s] a player who gives us added flexibility and depth in attack,” explained HSV sporting director Claus Costa. “He can play in several positions and is already very well settled within the group, both on and off the pitch.”
Montrell Culbreath
Position: Right winger
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Date of birth: 29 August 2007
U19 appearances/goals: 14/3
Players rarely burst onto the scene quite like Montrell Culbreath did. In a 13-minute Bundesliga debut cameo against RB Leipzig on Matchday 15 of 2025/26, the German youth international raced away after a mistake from David Raum to net a goal on his debut and seal a 3-1 win for Leverkusen in stoppage time.
Watch: Culbreath scores his first Bundesliga goal against Leipzig
Having represented USA at U16 level, Culbreath - who possesses explosive pace and neat trickery - has since established himself as a key player for Germany’s youth teams. With a goal and assist at this summer’s tournament, the young winger continues to hit new dizzying heights and is expected to play a role for new Leverkusen coach Carles Martínez in 2026/27, having featured 16 times for Die Werkself last season.
“He has developed brilliantly in our youth teams over the past few years, and he has also shown his great potential in many training sessions with the first team,” explained Rolfes when the club extended his contract until 2030.
