Gerrit Holtmann, who has been making waves in the German Bundesliga, will finally suit up for the Philippine Azkals in a pair of international friendlies slated later this month in Singapore.
Team manager Dan Palami confirmed that Holtmann will take part in the Azkals matches against Singapore and Malaysia in a three-nation series at the Lion City’s National Stadium.
Holtmann already secured a Philippine passport last year, making him eligible to don the Philippine shirt for international matches.
“He already has responded and has already made arrangements for his flight going to Singapore,” said Palami during a virtual press conference arranged by the Philippine Football Federation.
There’s elation within the local football community over the addition of the 26-year-old Holtmann, who plays for VfL Bochum in one of top leagues in Europe.
Holtmann produced the Bundesliga’s Goal of the Year in 2021, when a solo effort enabled him to break plenty of defenders before scoring a low attempt in a match against Mainz.
Recently, Holtmann was among the goalscorers in Bochum’s famous 4-2 upset of German champions Bayern Munich.
“It is very seldom that a player of that quality has enthusiastically expressed interest to play for us,” Palami said. “It took a while and Scott Cooper had been working on convincing him the last two years and finally he agreed.
“I think for football-loving fans who follow other leagues like the Bundesliga, we know how Gerrit has been making waves in that league and it’s important that we get him immediately before Germany comes knocking on him.”
The two friendlies will be part of the buildup for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in June as the Azkals return to Singapore for the first time since December when they competed in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.