Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko is set to miss the knockout rounds of the European U-21 Championship, but he should be fully fit in time for the start of pre-season.
Youssoufa Moukoko was set to become the youngest player to ever play for the Germany U-21s during the group stage of the European U-21 Championship in March. But he suffered a foot ligament injury during a training session before the first game. And the injury saw him get ruled out until the end of the season. Now Sebastian Kehl has given an update on his injury status.
Speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten, Kehl confirmed that Moukoko will miss the knockout rounds of the U-21 Euros. But the Borussia Dortmund head of players’ department added that the striker should be available again in time for pre-season.
"“Youssoufa will not be able to make it to the European Championship,” Kehl said. “That would come too early. The plan is for him to continue his rehab in Dortmund in peace and then be fully fit for the start of pre-season.”"
Moukoko, who made his professional debut just one day after his 16th birthday in November, became the youngest player to ever play in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League earlier this season. He also became the youngest ever goalscorer in Bundesliga history in December, when he found the net on his first senior start (against Union Berlin). The highly rated striker has scored three goals in just 15 senior appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
Moukoko can now look forward to making his return when the Black and Yellows begin their preparations for the start of the new season.
The knockout rounds of the European U-21 Championship are due to get underway at the end of the season. Germany U-21s will face Denmark in the quarterfinals on May 31.