Schalke Starlet Julian Draxler Becomes Fourth Youngest Ever Bundesliga Player

Schalke 04 midfielder Julian Draxler today became the fourth youngest debutant in Bundesliga history aged 17 years and 117 days. Draxler came off the bench in his side's 1-0 home defeat to Hamburg in place of Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

It has been a swift rise to first-team action for the youngster, who has been with die Knappen since 2001-02. He previously turned out for BV Rentfort and SSV Buer 07/28. He has six caps to his name for the German under-18 side.

Draxler was promoted from the under-19 side after nine goals in twelve games this season. He impressed sufficiently in the club's winter training camp in Belek to be handed his first start in the 3-0 friendly defeat to Trabzonspor before taking his first steps as a Bundesliga player today.

Although the youngest debutant for Schalke in the German top flight, there have been three younger players in the league's 48-year history namely Nuri Sahin (16 years, 335 days), Juergen Friedl (17 years 26 days) and Ibrahim Tanko (17 years, 61 days).

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