Brian Madjo, Aston Villa's 17-year-old striker, is eligible to play for England despite having already featured in three non-competitive senior games for Luxembourg last year. The teenager made a stunning competitive debut for Villa, scoring in the UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain, becoming the youngest player ever to score in the fixture.
Debut goal and performance
Madjo's goal, which levelled the match just before half-time in Salzburg, came from a volley at the back post after holding off PSG defender Willian Pacho, from a John McGinn cross. The 6-foot-4-inch centre-forward dominated the PSG defence, which included Marquinhos and Pacho, and could have scored four times before the break. Villa captain John McGinn had earlier set up two headed chances for Madjo, but the young striker was determined, using his physicality to cause problems all night.
Despite Villa losing the match 2-1, with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, Madjo's performance was a statement, coming after a 212-day wait for his competitive debut.
Registration and eligibility
Madjo signed for Villa in a £10million deal from Metz in January, but FIFA barred his registration until Villa won an appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this month. The issue arose because Madjo was born in Enfield, London, but raised in Luxembourg and later France. FIFA rules prohibit international transfers for players under 18, but Villa successfully argued for an exemption based on his London birth.
Madjo is also eligible for Cameroon, his parents' country of birth, but has already switched his allegiance to England. He has scored four goals in nine appearances for England's Under-17s and featured at last summer's U17 European Championship in Albania.
Future prospects
Having deputised for Ollie Watkins in the Super Cup, Madjo will now aim to make an impression in the Premier League. He could potentially take Watkins' place at club and international level if he continues to perform at the level he showed against PSG.
