Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of German World Cup winner Jürgen Klinsmann, has been added to the USA squad for their upcoming friendlies against England and Italy.
Klinsmann was born in Germany but moved with his parents to California while still an infant. His mother, Debbie, is American and his father coached the US national team between 2011 and 2016.
Unlike his father, whose goals helped propel Germany to the 1990 World Cup and the 1996 European Championships, the 21-year-old plays in goal. Klinsmann signed with Hertha Berlin last season after leaving the University of California, Berkeley. He has made one appearance for the team, in a Europa League match, but most of his early career has been spent with Hertha Berlin II in the German fourth tier.
Klinsmann said part of the reason for his move to Europe was to connect with his roots. “I didn’t want to go to England or America because I knew English already,” Klinsmann said. “For me, German was unfinished and I wanted to be able to integrate myself in Germany. I was born here. I was born in Munich. I wanted to be able to come here and speak freely. I wanted to learn German. That was definitely one of my top priorities.”
In March, the Hertha goalkeeping coach, Zsolt Petry, appeared to suggest the player’s nationality was holding him back. “The serious, focused German working is not fully in him, there’s too much American left in him,” said Petry.
Klinsmann was called into the US squad after Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen withdrew due to injury. Klinsmann has previously represented the US at the Under-20 World Cup in 2017.
