By Seyi Babalola
David Stockbrink is a young Nigerian footballer based in the Netherlands, making waves for the Flying Eagles. He is a versatile player with a strong desire to play for Nigeria, despite being eligible for Germany.
Stockbrink joined the Nigeria Flying Eagles camp in preparation for the forthcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup, scheduled to hold in Chile from September 27 to October 20, 2025.
The attacker, with his goal-scoring prowess, however, hinted that his arrival is to showcase his ability and cement a relationship with the rest of the team.
Here are five key things to know about David Stockbrink, the Flying Eagles star.
Dual heritage and eligibility
Born on October 30, 2006, to a German father and a Nigerian mother from Umunede, Delta State, Stockbrink is eligible to represent both Nigeria and Germany.
He has expressed a strong desire to play for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, inspired by his mother’s stories about the country.
Club career progression
Stockbrink began his career at Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Under-19 team, where he served as captain, before moving to Warta Poznań’s Under-19 side in Poland.
In January 2025, he joined Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, playing for their U19 and U21 squads in the Dutch Eredivisie U19 league.
Versatile playing style
Primarily a forward, Stockbrink has also been noted as a midfielder, showcasing his versatility.
Known for his overlapping runs as a left-back during his time at Mönchengladbach, he has since excelled as a forward, scoring and assisting in a warm-up match for Fortuna Sittard’s senior team.
Flying Eagles call-up
Stockbrink received invitations to join the Flying Eagles for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire and the FIFA U-20 World Cup training camp in Abuja, starting August 18, 2025.
His inclusion reflects his standout performances, including at the 2024 Federation Cup with Excellent FC.
Recovery and ambition
After overcoming an injury setback, Stockbrink declared himself back to full fitness in August 2025, scoring and providing assists in a match for Fortuna Sittard. He aims to secure a first-team spot at his club and make a significant impact for Nigeria at the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile.
