Schalke's Serdar invited to Germany national team

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Schalke 04's German midfielder of Turkish origin Suat Serdar has been invited by the Germany's national football team on Sunday.

"Suat Serdar from Schalke 04 joins the squad in their place!," Germany National Team (DFB) said on Twitter as midfielder Toni Kroos and defender Jonas Hector have been troubled by injuries.

Germany coach Joachim Low invited 22-year-old Serdar to the national team for the first time.

Serdar played for Germany's youth teams since he was a teen.

Germany will face Argentina in a friendly match on Oct. 9 in Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park.

On Oct. 13, Germany will take on Estonia in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers match in Tallinn.

- Gundogan, Can in Germany squad

In addition to Serdar, Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan and Juventus midfielder Emre Can are currently in the Germany squad.

Similar to Serdar, Gundogan and Can have Turkish roots.

Gundogan, 28, has been playing for Germany since 2011.

Meanwhile 25-year-old Can made his debut for Germany in 2015.

- Turkish-origin players shape Germany midfield

In the 2010s, several players of Turkish origin shaped Germany's midfield position as Gundogan, Can and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil have worn the country's jersey for a long time.

Born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, Ozil was a former Germany regular.

He retired from German national team in 2018, citing "discrimination and racism".

Ozil has been under fire in Germany since May 2018 when he posted a photo with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Germany's shocking group-stage elimination at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia sparked more criticism of the 30-year-old footballer.

The 2014 World Cup winner scored 23 goals in 92 appearances for Germany.