Bundesliga
Joe Scally moves into Gladbach first-team
US teenager Joe Scally is training with the first-team at Borussia Mönchengladbach ahead of the 2021/22 season, following his January move from New York City FC.
Scally was required to train individually upon his arrival in Mönchengladbach from his native USA at the turn of the year, before getting stuck in with the seniors for the first time as part of the Foals' preparations for their Matchday 19 trip to Union Berlin.
Gladbach have waited over 12 months for Scally's onboarding to begin, having agreed a deal to bring him to Borussia-Park in November 2019. Due to FIFA regulations, however, the club had to wait until his 18th birthday - on 31 December 2020 - to complete the transfer.
Even then, various members of the Gladbach hierarchy, including now former head coach Marco Rose, made no secret of their plans to blood the US youth international in the first team at the earliest available opportunity.
"We're excited about him, we're excited about his huge talent," Rose told bundesliga.com. "We'll give him the time he needs to get used to everything of course, we'll support him so he can make a good start. But he'll get his chance - that what he's here for."
Scally can become the 59th American to grace the Bundesliga, and fourth to pull on a Gladbach shirt after Kasey Keller (2004-2007), Michael Bradley (2008-2011) and Fabian Johnson (2009-2020).
The teenaged right-back has played senior football before, having made four Major League Soccer appearances in the calendar year 2020, whilst featuring in the MLS Play-Offs and CONCACAF Champions League. He has also earned 17 caps for the US U17s.
"Joe has been able to fit in quickly at Borussia. He's really gone from 0 to 100," said Roland Virkus, the director of Gladbach's academy. "I've never seen a young player that goes into challenges as hard as he does, while not being nasty. He's very aggressive, athletic and in great shape. He's also a strong player. He made his debut for the U23s when the team was going through a tough time and impressed over time."
With Scally set to stay among Gladbach's first-team for pre-season training under new head coach Adi Hütter this summer, the American will be looking to prove his worth and earn his place in Hütter's squad for 2021/22.