Germany´s Jones opts to play for the USA

With a year to go before the World Cup, Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones has opted to turn his back on Germany to play for the United States, it was announced on Friday.

The 27-year-old has already informed the German Football Federation (DFB) of his decision and national coach Joachim Loew says he wishes Jones well.

“We have acknowledged Jermaine Jones’ decision and we accept it,” said Germany coach Loew, who led the national team to second place at last June’s Euro 2008 final.

“I wish him plenty of luck in his sporting future.”

Under FIFA’s current regulations, Jones is eligible to play for the United States of America, for whom he qualifies through his father, despite having played for Germany, because he has not been involved in a major tournament.

All of his three appearances for Germany have come in friendly matches against Austria, Belarus and England and he missed out on final selection for the Euro 2008 squad.

Germany are top of the qualification group for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, while the USA are currently second in the North, Central American and Caribbean group.