Paderborn's American forward Khiry Shelton on "emotional" Bundesliga debut against Bayern Munich
American forward Khiry Shelton is hoping to use his Bundesliga debut against Bayern Munich as a platform for more playing time at Paderborn.
Shelton, who moved to Germany from New York City FC in January 2019, was restricted to just two Bundesliga 2 appearances for Paderborn during the second half of last season, and was an unused substitute in the promoted club's first two top-flight assignments of 2019/20.
The 26-year-old dropped out of the senior squad altogether on Matchdays 3, 4 and 5, but was recalled for the visit of Bayern after scoring in successive matches for the reserve team, featuring in the final five minutes of a spirited 3-2 defeat to the defending champions.
Watch: Khiry Shelton on playing against Bayern
Despite the result, the former USA U23 player was able to take a handful of positives from the experience.
"It's something very special [to make my debut], for me and my family," Shelton told bundesliga.com, his first six months at Paderborn having been blighted by injury.
"It was very emotional. So many emotions running through my body it’s hard to explain. I have a lot of respect for [Bayern], and obviously they are tremendous players.
"But, as a football player, you don't want to look at them as better players, you want to raise yourself up and be confident."
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Not that Shelton is a stranger to rubbing shoulders with players of the ilk of Bayern's star-studded ensemble.
NYFC's first-ever draft pick, Shelton played under Patrick Vieira in MLS, whilst lining up in the same team as FIFA World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo (Italy) and David Villa (Spain).
The 6'3" forward, who started out as a right-sided attacker before being repurposed in a central role, registered four goals and six assisted in his breakout MLS campaign in 2016, but has been hampered by physical problems ever since.
Now fully fit, he will be itching to show coach Stefan Baumgart just how much of the Pirlo-Villa magic has rubbed off when Paderborn resume their search for a first league win of the season against Mainz on 5 October.
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