Jordan Torunarigha may have only started six times for Bundesliga side, Hertha Berlin, this season, yet Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, was already impressed by the 20-year-old.
Torunarigha is born to a Nigerian dad, Ojokojo, who played for Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the late 1980s.
Ojokojo moved to Germany in the mid-1990s, joining second-tier Chemnitzer.
It was around this time Torunarigha was born.
He joined Hertha as a six-year-old, progressing superbly through the ranks to sign a professional contract in 2016.
Although not a regular, he has proven to be one of the brightest young players in the Bundesliga.
The young defender was already being tipped to make Nigeria’s World Cup owing to Rohr’s unusual affection for the player.
But shockingly, the defender has turned down the opportunity to represent his fatherland.
“It’s disappointing because he was presented with a great chance to play in the World Cup if only he was interested,” Rohr told BBC Sport.
“I’ve followed his progress, I believe he would have made positive contributions to the team.
“But we must really respect this young boy’s decision now and wish him well.”
Torunarigha has represented Germany at all cadres and will be hoping to make the leap to Die Mannschaft.
