Is an African player in Germany faking his age? – [Photos]

Hamburg midfielder Bakery Jatta in action [Courtesy]

On Wednesday, August 7 the German Football Federation launched investigations after questions were raised about the identity of an African footballer plying his trade in the Bundesliga.

Bakery Jatta is a Gambian midfielder who plays for former Bundesliga outfit, Hamburg.

According to the records of German second-tier side, 21-year-old Jatta joined the club as a 16-year-old four years ago.

Hamburg says Jatta is 21 years old [Courtesy]

However, top German news outlet Bild thinks otherwise…

According to them, Jatta is two and a half years older than what Hamburg have in their records.

Bild claims Jatta has even played for different clubs before joining Hamburg, including the Gambian u20 side under a different name – Bakery Daffeh.

The publication claims Jatta is tow and a half years more than what the club has recorded [Courtesy]

The paper names two managers who have acknowledged Jatta as their former player.

They go on to claim any trace of Daffeh ended in 2015, exactly around the same time the name Jatta arose in the Bundesliga.

Hamburg sporting director Peter Knabel in 2015 noted Jatta’s biological development had concluded but the player’s real age never came up as an issue.

The club has since responded to the claim’s defending Bakery with evidence – his passport and work permit.

 "We have Bakery Jatta's valid passport and work permit. He has been exemplary ever since he joined us. He was quick to integrate himself into the squad, we respect him as a player and as a person,” The club responded.  

Jatta’s agent has also spoken to the media, saying the reports from Bild do not make sense.

"He has a valid passport, which has been checked. All the rest for us doesn't make any sense,"