Nigerian-born football prospect David Stockbrink has taken another significant step in his budding career after earning promotion to Fortuna Sittard’s 25-man provisional squad ahead of the ongoing Dutch league campaign.
The promising forward, who turned 20 yesterday, has been rewarded for his impressive performances at the club’s youth level, earning recognition from head coach Danny Buijs, whose side currently occupies 6th position in the Dutch league standings.
Stockbrink’s inclusion in the provisional squad represents another important milestone for the youngster, who is increasingly attracting attention as a potential future addition to the Super Eagles.
Born to a German father and a Nigerian mother from Umunede in Delta State, Stockbrink is eligible to represent Nigeria internationally. He was previously considered for the country’s Under-20 team but missed out on the squad that travelled to Chile for last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup after an injury setback.
His recent progress at Fortuna Sittard has further strengthened his reputation, with impressive performances and goals for the club’s Under-21 side reportedly catching the attention of Buijs.
Stockbrink began his football journey with 1.FC Mönchengladbach’s Under-19 team, where he also served as captain, before moving to Poland to feature for Warta Poznań’s Under-19 side.
In January 2025, he joined Dutch outfit Fortuna Sittard, where he continued his development with the club’s Under-19 and Under-21 teams.
Although primarily recognised as a forward, Stockbrink has demonstrated considerable versatility, having featured in different attacking and midfield roles. He also developed his tactical understanding while playing as a left-back during his earlier days at 1.FC Mönchengladbach.
His growing influence at Fortuna Sittard has not gone unnoticed, particularly after he impressed in a warm-up fixture for the senior team, contributing both goals and assists.
In an earlier interview with The Sun, Stockbrink openly explained his preference for representing Nigeria despite being born and raised in Germany.
“First, it’s my choice. Also, my mother loves it, as well as my father. Through the strong connection between me and my mother and my numerous visits, I feel connected to Nigeria; I am attracted to Nigeria.
“My father also supports me, and he sees big opportunities in playing for the Nigerian national team and is very happy about it,” he said.
Asked whether he believed he could break into the Super Eagles despite the intense competition for places, the youngster expressed confidence in his abilities.
“I absolutely do because many coaches have told me already how good my way of playing football is,” he stated.
He also identified Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen as his football role model, describing him as “a great player with a great mindset, which I think is very exemplary.”
Stockbrink’s football journey began at the tender age of three when he started playing for his local club in Germany’s Sunday League. After nine years, his outstanding performance at a tournament involving several competitive teams earned him an opportunity to attend a trial, which proved successful.
Recounting his development, he said:
“I went to SV Straelen, where I had one of the best times by only playing in the second-lowest division, becoming the top scorer in the league, which made two NLZs (Nachwuchs-Leistungs-Zentrum, some of the best youth development centres in Germany) offer me a trial.
“I went to Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, where I played Bundesliga, the highest division in Germany. It wasn’t a great year, and I was forced to go to another club where I could play more.
“I went for one year to ASV Süchteln, where I played a lot and featured in the second-highest division.
“I was the top scorer in my team, but the team was relegated in the end, which also forced me to move to a better club. I got four offers from two-division teams, and in the end, I went to 1.Mönchengladbach, then I played in Warta Posnan, Poland before joining the Dutch side where I currently play.
“During my days in Germany, I played a lot, and as the season progressed, I became even better, scored more goals and provided more assists. I also learned to play in more positions.”
Beyond his development in Europe, Stockbrink has continued to maintain a strong connection with his Nigerian heritage.
During his regular visits to Nigeria with his mother, he makes time to train and play with emerging footballers in Agbor, Delta State. These experiences, he believes, have helped him remain connected to his roots and familiar with the Nigerian style of football.
He also believes that his exposure to playing alongside players from different backgrounds, including Black teammates during his formative years in Germany, would make adapting to the Super Eagles dressing room relatively easy.
His ambition to represent Nigeria has also received unwavering support from his parents.
In a previous interview with a sports publication, his mother, Mrs Augustina Ogonne Stockbrink (née Agbon), who hails from Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, expressed her desire to see her son wear the green and white colours of Nigeria.
“I will be very proud for my son to represent my country, Nigeria.
“I want him to play for Nigeria because he was born and brought up in Germany, so representing Nigeria will give him more opportunity to be part of his roots.
“It won’t be out of place for him to switch nationality and play for Nigeria. He loves Nigeria and would like to get an invitation to play for Nigeria’s national team soon. It would be great to play for Nigeria.
“I know there are a lot of quality players and competition in every position, but David is not bothered by that because it is part of his job to fight for a shirt if given a chance,” she said.
His father, Mr Eckhard Stockbrink, has equally thrown his weight behind his son’s international ambition.
“I like the idea of David wanting to play for Nigeria; it is a great chance and wonderful thing.
“I support him. It is an honour, also because I love Nigeria too. My wife is from there, and I want David to choose which nation he wants to play for.
“David is a very good boy, open-minded and very friendly. I know he can cope with every player, team and situation there. I hope he makes it into the Nigerian national team.
“He started his football career in our village, Bracht, 14 years ago. He loves playing and never wanted to do anything else except football and attending school,” he enthused.
For Stockbrink and his family, the ultimate dream remains an invitation to represent Nigeria at the highest level.
As his career continues to gather momentum in the Netherlands, the youngster’s promotion to Fortuna Sittard’s provisional squad could prove to be another important step towards achieving that ambition.
For his mother, the prospect of seeing her son represent the country of her birth would be particularly special.
“It will be a dream come true for David and me if he is called up to the Nigerian national team,” she said.