Toprak for Turkey

Germany defender turns his back on birth nation

By Jessica Miller.   Last Updated: September 27, 2011 7:52pm

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Toprak: Will no longer play international football for Germany

Sky Bet

Germany U21 defender Omer Toprak has chosen to represent his parents' home nation of Turkey in future international games.

The 21-year-old Toprak has seen success as a Germany international playing in the side that won the U19 Uefa trophy in 2008.

The highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen player was born in Ravensburg in Germany to Turkish parents.

"After many long discussions with my friends and family I have decided to play for Turkey," Toprak told Kicker-Sportmagazin.

"I know I owe much to the German Football Association but in my heart I feel I am a Turk.

"In the end I let my heart decide. It was an extremely tough decision."