Youssoufa Moukoko has the ‘goalscoring gene’ – Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watzke

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watzke is convinced that Youssoufa Moukoko can make an impact for the senior team after he turns 16 later this month.

Youssoufa Moukoko will celebrate his 16th birthday on November 20th, and will be eligible to play for the Borussia Dortmund senior team for their next Bundesliga game against Hertha Berlin, which comes just one day later. The striker has been scoring goals for fun for the U-19s so far this season, and Hans Joachim Watzke is convinced that he can make a similar impact for the first team.

"Speaking to Sky Sport, Watzke said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re scoring three or four goals for the U19s. If you’re doing it regularly, you definitely have the goal gene.”"

Moukoko has been training with the first team since July, and has earned rave reviews from a number of his teammates, including Erling Haaland, who said that he has never seen a more talented 15 year old in his life. The duo are set to lead the attack for Borussia Dortmund, and Watzke believes having Moukoko will be ideal for the team, as it would give Lucien Favre an option if Haaland needs a rest.

“It’s ideal to have him though. If Haaland needs a break, then maybe Favre will try out Youssoufa.”

However, Watzke was also quick to downplay expectations and stressed that the Black and Yellows would be careful with his playing time so as not to ‘overload’ him. “It will be the decision of the coach as to whether or when he plays. He is going to be the youngest of them all, so we have to be careful not to overload him.”

Moukoko has played four games so far this season for the Borussia Dortmund U-19s, and has scored a hat-trick in all four of those matches, finding the net an incredible 13 times. In addition to the Bundesliga, the Germany U-20s international will also be eligible to play in the UEFA Champions League once he turns 16.