Youssoufa Moukoko in line to become youngest ever UEFA Champions League debutant

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed that Youssoufa Moukoko will be added to the club’s UEFA Champions League squad when he turns 16 in November.

Borussia Dortmund registered their squad for the upcoming UEFA Champions League group stage last week, and although Youssoufa Moukoko was missing from the original list, he will be added to the B list once he turns 16 next month. Sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed to BILD that they will register him on the B list following his 16th birthday.

UEFA rules state that each club can enter any number of players to the B list during the season. Players aged 16 can be added to the B list if they have been registered with a club for at least two years.

If Moukoko makes his Champions League debut during the group stage, he will become the youngest player to ever play in the competition. The record is currently held by Anderlecht’s Céléstine Babayaro, who made his debut in Europe’s biggest club competition aged 16 years and 87 days in 1994. Olympique Lyonnais forward Rayan Cherki came close to usurping Babayaro last season, when he came off the bench against Zenit at the age of 16 years and 102 days.

Moukoko will turn 16 on November 20, and Borussia Dortmund face Club Brugge on matchday 4 of the Champions League group stage just four days later.

Moukoko, who is already training with the first team squad, has netted hat-tricks in both of his appearances for the Borussia Dortmund U-19s so far this season. His performances also saw him earn his first cap for the Germany U-20s in September.