IRELAND LOOK set to win the race to the secure the services of highly-rated 17-year-old Bayern Munich prospect Ryan Johansson.
According to a report from Garry Doyle in The Times Ireland Edition, the midfielder has opted to represent the Green Army and will feature for the Republic's Under-18 side next month.
Born in Luxembourg, the versatile midfielder has already played for Sweden at underage level, having qualified for the Scandinavian nation via his father.
However, he's reportedly decided to represent Ireland at youth level, having qualified through his Mullingar-born mother Christine McCarthy.
Under contract with Bayern until 2020, Johansson actually started his fledgling football career with Metz in France before moving to Munich last summer.
Metz have something of a reputation for unearthing talent, with Louis Saha and Robert Pires among those to come through the ranks.
Johansson enjoyed a fine first season in Germany at youth level too, winning the Under-17 Bundesliga title with the Bavarian giants.
More recently still the youngster was given a taste of first-team football, starting at right-back in a pre-season friendly clash with Juventus.
Johansson also appeared in Bayern's recently friendly clash with Manchester City, coming off the bench in a 3-2 defeat to the Sky Blues.
The future is looking bright for Johansson - and Ireland.
