Havertz heading to home European Championships

Kai Havertz is heading to a European Championship in his homeland after he was named in Germany’s final squad for Euro 2024.

Kai will end his first campaign as a Gunner with the chance to represent his nation on home turf, as they seek their first triumph in the competition when they won Euro 96 in England.

Having qualified automatically as hosts, Germany’s preparations for the tournament saw them dispense with the services of Hansi Flick in September after a poor run of form stemming from a group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.

Julien Nagelsmann has stepped in and won three of his first seven matches at the helm, and has selected an experienced squad that includes Toni Kroos, fresh off a fifth Champions League success - this tournament will be a swansong for the most successful German footballer ever.

However there is also room for hot prospect Florian Wirtz, while Kai is expected to battle it out with Niclas Fullkrug for the central striker spot. Legendary striker Thomas Muller is another option after being named in his eighth tournament squad.

Kai is now in his third, having represented his country at Euro 2020 and the last World Cup. He started Germany’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine on Monday night, on what was his 45th appearance for his country, during which time he has bagged 15 goals. His team will finish their preparations with a game against Greece tonight.

Die Mannschaft kick off the tournament when they face Kieran Tierney’s Scotland on the opening night on Friday, June 14, and then tackle Hungary in their second group game five days later. They complete their group stage when they face Switzerland on Sunday, June 23.

Full Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Frankfurt), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)