Neven Subotic, one of the rising stars of the German Bundesliga has turned his back on the United States and has opted to play for Serbia in international games. Subotic has been capped by US at the U-17 and U-20 levels but now has switched allegiance to Serbia.

Subotic had until next Dec. 10, his 21st birthday, to chose his senior national team under rules by soccer’s governing body. He could have picked the U.S., Bosnia or Serbia.

The Borrussia Dortmund defender will form a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the centre of Serbia’s defence and would bolster their World Cup Qualification chances.

The Serbian soccer federation said on its Web site that Subotic, a Bosnian Serb, made the decision “to return to his roots.” He is expected to debut for Serbia during a tournament in Cyprus in February.