FIFA approves Julian Green's switch to US from Germany

CHICAGO (AP) -- Julian Green's change of national association to the United States from Germany has been approved by FIFA.

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the decision on Monday, six days after Green applied for the switch.

The 18-year-old Bayern Munich forward, who was born in Tampa, Fla., played for Germany in three qualifiers for the 2014 European Under-19 Championship, making his debut last Oct. 10 against Belarus.

He made his professional debut for Bayern on Nov. 27 as an 88th-minute substitute in a Champions League match at CSKA Moscow.

Green is eligible to make his U.S. debut in the April 2 exhibition against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann says ''We are obviously thrilled.''