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Germany U16 call up 12-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker

Borussia Dortmund's 12-year-old attacker Youssoufa Moukoko has been called up to the Germany U16 squad for their upcoming matches against Austria.

Moukoko, born in November 2004, has made international headlines in recent weeks after scoring 10 goals in his first four league games for Borussia Dortmund's U17 team.

While many have raised the question whether he is only 12 years old, his father Joseph, said in April that there is no reason for doubt, because his mother, Marie, "is only 28."

On the back of his performances for Borussia Dortmund, the Cameroon-born player has now been invited to join the Germany U16 team for their upcoming friendlies against Austria.

In a statement released by the German FA in late August, the DFB said that "in theory an even younger player could already play for the U19 [age group] of a club."

They added: "Talents like Youssoufa Moukoko are a great exception. And not every exception should serve as an example for imitation."

Markus Hirte, the association's sporting head of talent promotion, said: "It's important to look at every player individually. The question has to be about which qualities he has, not only physically and on the pitch, but also in the development of his personality."