Ryan Naderi's International Dilemma: Czech Republic, Bulgaria, or Germany?

Ryan Naderi has barely settled into life at Rangers, yet his next big decision might not be about club football at all. It could be about his flag.

According to Bild, the 23-year-old striker is close to a call-up from the Czech national team, with sporting director Pavel Nedved already making contact. The approach has pushed Naderi into the middle of a three-way battle that now includes the Czech Republic, Bulgaria – and potentially Germany.

Naderi was born in Dresden to a Czech mother and a Bulgarian father. Bulgaria’s association has already tried to lure him once, but he turned them down. The report says he is more receptive to the Czech Republic, a move that would align with his maternal roots and Nedved’s interest.

Germany, though, could yet crash the party. With Jürgen Klopp now in charge of the national team and preparing for his first proper selection calls, any hint of DFB ambitions would require swift action. If Klopp sees a future for Naderi in Germany’s colours, he cannot afford to wait.

There is a catch for the Czechs. Before he can represent them, Naderi must first secure a Czech passport. Only then would he be eligible, and it remains uncertain whether that process can be completed in time for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Croatia, England (twice) and Spain. The clock is ticking, and so is the calendar.

From Dresden prospect to Rangers spearhead

Naderi’s rise has not been explosive, but it has been relentless.

He came through the youth ranks at Dynamo Dresden, then left for Borussia Mönchengladbach at 17, chasing a bigger stage. The real breakthrough into professional football arrived in 2024 with Hansa Rostock in the 3. Liga. There, he put together a quietly impressive season: 45 appearances, 13 goals, nine assists. At 1.94 metres, he plays as a classic centre-forward – a tall, penalty-box focal point with numbers to back up the profile.

Rangers took notice. Last winter, they paid a 3. Liga record fee of €5.5 million to bring him to Glasgow. It was a bold move for a player who had not yet tested himself at the very top level, but his early return has justified the gamble: six goals and six assists in 21 games.

His latest statement came on the biggest domestic stage of all. In the Old Firm last weekend, Naderi set up one of Rangers’ goals in a 3-0 win over Celtic and played a key role in the build-up to another. On a day when emotions run high and mistakes are punished, he looked entirely at home.

Klopp watching, choices looming

While the Czechs make their move and Bulgaria wait in the background, Germany’s situation is different. Klopp is assembling an unusually large squad for the upcoming international window, with matches against the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece (twice). He wants to look at a wide range of players. Surprises are expected. Naderi could easily be one of them if the DFB decide to act.

That is the tension at the heart of his story now. A towering striker, a record transfer to Rangers, a standout in an Old Firm – and three national teams circling.

Someone will get their man. The only question is whose shirt Ryan Naderi pulls on when the anthems start.