BELGRADE, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has opted to represent Serbia and will make his debut in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, the Balkan country’s coach Radomir Antic said on Saturday.
“We are now in the process of obtaining Serbian citizesnhip for Subotic as soon as possible and we are delighted to have him in our ranks,” Antic told Belgrade’s B92 website (www.b92.net).
“He is an exceptionally talented player and his presence will bolster our chances of progressing to the 2010 World Cup finals from our qualifying group.”
Subotic was born in the Bosnian city of Banjaluka while it was still a part of the former Yugoslavia and played for the U.S. Under-20 national side after spending his childhood in Germany and the United States.
The 20-year old, who won promotion to the Bundesliga with his former club Meinz last season, scored five goals in 17 appearances for Dortmund since joining them in June.
He was also picked in the Bundesliga best XI after the German first division entered its annual six-week long winter break last weekend.
Serbia share top spot in Group 7 with Lithuania on nine points from four matches, ahead of France, Austria and Romania who have four points each.
They are away to neighbours Romania in their next game on March 28 in the Black Sea port of Constanta.
Subotic was born in the Bosnian city of Banjaluka while it was still a part of the former Yugoslavia and played for the U.S. Under-20 national side after spending his childhood in Germany and the United States.
The 20-year old, who won promotion to the Bundesliga with his former club Meinz last season, scored five goals in 17 appearances for Dortmund since joining them in June.
Serbia share top spot in Group 7 with Lithuania on nine points from four matches, ahead of France, Austria and Romania who have four points each.
They are away to neighbours Romania in their next game on March 28 in the Black Sea port of Constanta.
