Youssef Amyn is one of those players whose tale tells a lot of tales these days about how football is these days at the international level. His journey is one worth exploring, having been born in one country, trained in another, and now representing a third at the international level. Here’s a full rundown of who he is and how he became who he is today.
Who Is Youssef Amyn?
Youssef Wali Faeq Amyn was born in Essen, Germany on 21 August 2003. He is a winger, who currently plays for AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot First Division, most regularly appearing on the left side of the attack. Although he was born and raised in Germany, he plays for Iraq internationally, due to his Kurdish-Iraqi background.
Early Life and Youth Career in Germany
Amyn began his football education as a child, but all of it took place in Germany.
Coming Up Through Local Clubs
He had risen through the ranks of TuS Querenburg before joining VfL Bochum’s youth system, paving the way for a solid academy career.
Joining Borussia Dortmund
From there he ended up at one of the best academies in the world: Borussia Dortmund. He was there for five years, 2015 to 2020, growing as a player with some of the best young talent in German football.
The Switch to Viktoria Köln
In 2020, he opted to leave the Dortmund academy and sign for Viktoria Köln’s youth ranks instead, a transfer which would see him taking the first step on his road to professional football.
Breaking Into Professional Football
Amyn made his professional debut for Viktoria Köln on 13 March 2021, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 league win over MSV Duisburg. In his debut season, he had a breakout year, appearing in 35 games for the club and scoring 5 goals, which was more than enough to attract attention from bigger clubs watching from afar.
Club Career: From Feyenoord to Saudi Arabia
The Feyenoord Chapter
His performances for Viktoria Köln earned him a move to Feyenoord, one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. But that did not mean first-team minutes, as he didn’t get a senior game for the club. It’s a familiar one for young players recruited by a big club with a full squad, and Amyn’s next move reflected that reality.
Return to Germany With Eintracht Braunschweig
After Feyenoord, Amyn went back to Germany, to Eintracht Braunschweig, for whom he played 9 games in 2023–24. Although it wasn’t a massive run of games, it ensured he was getting regular game time and provided him with another season of senior football under his belt before his next big move.
The Move to Saudi Arabia
In August, 2024 Amyn moved to Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League, with the fee being reported as around €350,000, where he penned a one-year contract. This decision represented the real turning point in his career both on and off the field, as it brought him closer to the Middle Eastern football culture of his own lineage.
He made an impact immediately, after playing 29 games and scoring 4 goals as well as making 2 assists for Al Wehda in the 2024-25 season. Some of his unforgettable moments was scoring against Al-Khaleej in a 3-1 win and another in a nail biting 2-2 draw with Al-Ettifaq, which earned the squad a precious point in the mid-table battle.
Current Club: AEK Larnaca
In 2025, Amyn transferred to AEK Larnaca, remaining in the Cypriot First Division. He has continued to score at a regular rate and his pace and direct dribbling on the left wing has provided a threat for AEK Larnaca.
International Career: Germany Youth to Iraq Senior Team
This is where Amyn’s story becomes especially fascinating.
Representing Germany at Youth Level
He played 10 games and scored 2 goals and represented germany up to under 19 level in the early part of his career.
Choosing Iraq
In the end, he opted to play for Iraq at international level, a decision related to his Kurdish-Iraqi heritage. In 2023, he represented Iraq at under-20 level, and in 2024 he played for Iraq at the Olympic team. Since 2023 he has been a frequent call-up to the senior team and has earned 28 caps, scoring 2 goals – he also represented Iraq at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Electing to play for Iraq – instead of Germany – made him have a realistic chance of meaningful senior international minutes, something he would’ve found a lot more elusive in the deeper, stronger German squad.
Playing Style
Amyn is a right-footed player and is deployed as a left winger, from where he can cut inside onto his stronger foot. His speed, direct dribbling, and eagerness to run at defenders are some of his key attributes, and he is an attacking player who likes to take risks. This attacking mentality has resulted in him being a regular goalscorer wherever he has played (Germany, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus).
Why Youssef Amyn’s Story Stands Out
The career of Amyn is a good illustration that modern football identity is not always a linear thing. A German national by birth, trained at one of the best academies in Europe, and representing Iraq at international level, his story is a microcosm of the recent phenomenon of players opting to represent the country of their family’s heritage over the one where they were born and raised.
Wrapping Up
Youssef Amyn’s career has been a story of movement, adaptation, and being ready for whatever opportunity presents itself, from the academy fields of Borussia Dortmund to the representative fields of Iraq at the Asian Cup. He may not be a household name everywhere just yet, but his journey thus far is one that suggests he is someone to watch as his career progresses.
