Jens Castrop (right), the first foreign-born player of mixed heritage to join the South Korea's national soccer team, shakes hands with head coach Hong Myung-bo at the team's accommodation facility in New Jersey, Monday. (Korea Football Association via Yonhap)
Jens Castrop (right), the first foreign-born player of mixed heritage to join the South Korea's national soccer team, shakes hands with head coach Hong Myung-bo at the team's accommodation facility in New Jersey, Monday. (Korea Football Association via Yonhap)

Jens Castrop became the first foreign-born player of mixed heritage to join the South Korean men's national soccer team.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo officially called up the 22-year-old midfielder in preparation for the team's friendly match against the US at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, Saturday. The move is part of broader roster experiments ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After the US match, South Koreans will play Mexico on Sept. 10 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Castrop was born in Germany to a Korean mother and a German father. He grew up in Germany and has dual citizenship of both countries.

Castrop plays professionally for Borussia Monchengladbach.

Jens Castrop (second from right), stands alongside his teammates of the South Korean men's national soccer team, at the team's accommodation facility in New Jersey, Monday. (Korea Football Association via Yonhap)
Jens Castrop (second from right), stands alongside his teammates of the South Korean men's national soccer team, at the team's accommodation facility in New Jersey, Monday. (Korea Football Association via Yonhap)
Jens Castrop (top, left), stretches with his teammates of the South Korean men's national soccer team, at the team's accommodation facility in New Jersey, Monday. (Korea Football Association via Yonhap)
Jens Castrop (top, left), stretches with his teammates of the South Korean men's national soccer team, at the team's accommodation facility in New Jersey, Monday. (Korea Football Association via Yonhap)

minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com