Guendogan gets Germany call-up for Brazil game

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)—Germany coach Joachim Loew called up newcomer Ilkay Guendogan for next week’s friendly against Brazil while giving a rest to Real Madrid midfielders Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira.

Guendogan is a 20-year-old midfielder of Turkish background—like Oezil— who moved from Nuremberg to Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund in the offseason.

“I decided long ago that I would play for Germany,” said Guendogan, who could have chosen to pay for Turkey.

Loew said Guendogan has been developing well and is a very talented player.

“It’s a good opportunity to get to know him at the start of the European Championship season,” Loew said.

Germany has all but qualified for next year’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Loew had to name his squad before the Bundesliga season kicks off this weekend and he did not invite any other newcomers for Wednesday’s match in Stuttgart.

Central defender Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen has returned for his club but Loew said it was still early to have him on national team duty after a long-term leg injury.

Oezil and Khedira have been on a tour of the United States and China and Loew said he decided to give them time to recover.

Brazilian-born forward Cacau was called back for the first time since the end of 2010.