AMSTERDAM – Borussia Dortmund playmaking prodigy Christian Pulisic saw a big week capped by public praise from manager Jürgen Klopp for his work as a surprise participant in first-team training.
The 16-year-old US youth international officially turned pro with the club after receiving a Croatian passport on Tuesday and was elevated to the senior practice squad for the first time that same day. Pulisic, who had spent most of his day job time with Dortmund's Under-17 squad, joined a Bundesliga squad listing fellow US international Joseph Gyau among a few injured attackers.
"We were short at his position, and that's why we called him up," Klopp (pictured above) told reporters. "He did a good job. He can kick the ball around really well. And in a very intense training session with narrow spaces, he did not stand out in a negative way. That is a real sign of quality."
Pulisic is not eligible to dress for Dortmund until his International Transfer Certificate paperwork is filed. The US Under-17 ace watched from the stands as BvB moved out of the relegation mire with a 4-2 home victory over Mainz 05 on Friday night.
