MENSUR SULJOVIC has been invited to compete in the 2017 German Darts Masters ahead of this month's World Series of Darts event in Dusseldorf.
The Austrian star has risen into the world's top ten over the past two years and claimed his first TV title last weekend as he overcame Gary Anderson in the final of the Unibet Champions League of Darts in Cardiff.
The 45-year-old is now set to take on the likes of Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor when the World Series of Darts visits Germany on October 20-21.
Top two ranked Germans Max Hopp and Martin Schindler were originally set to be joined by a series of qualifiers from the German Superleague.
However, with Schindler certain of a spot in the top six, Suljovic has been invited to compete by broadcaster ProSieben, with five German qualifiers now set to join him at the Castello Arena this month.
"The World Series of Darts is all about spreading professional darts worldwide and giving fans a chance to see the best players in the world live in their region," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"Mensur's performances in reaching the European Championship final last year and winning the Champions League show that he fully deserves his spot amongst the sport's elite.
"He has been the standard-bearer in the region in recent years and helped to inspire the progression of the likes of Max Hopp and Martin Schindler, and has proven hugely popular throughout Germany."
In another positive development for the sport in Germany, the 2017 German Darts Masters will also be broadcast live on leading channel ProSieben alongside coverage on ProSieben Maxx on October 20-21.
The opening night's coverage will be shared by the two channels as the 16 players face off in the first round on Friday October 20 (8.15pm-10.30pm live on ProSieben Maxx & 10.30pm onwards on ProSieben).
The quarter-finals in the afternoon session of Saturday October 21 will be broadcast on ProSieben Maxx from 2pm-6pm, with the evening session's semi-finals and final live on ProSieben from 8.15pm.
Tickets for the 2017 German Darts Masters are still available, and can be purchased online at www.germandartsmasters.ticket.io.