De Guzman leaving Canadian soccer team
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2008 | 7:07 PM ET
CBC Sports
It's the news thousands of Canadian soccer fans feared.
Jonathan De Guzman says he will commit to play international soccer with the Dutch national program, perhaps even joining their Olympic team for Beijing.
Jonathan de Guzman, left, was an all-star with Feyenoord in the Dutch first division this season.
(AFP/Getty Images)
"It's been a hard decision for me to make and I'm happy that I made it," the 20-year-old from Scarborough, Ont., wrote in an e-mail to the CBC. "My family supports me 110 per cent and that's what's most important for me. As long as I have their support, I feel positive with one of the biggest decisions I had to make in my life."
As for Beijing, De Guzman said, "I'm not sure if I will get called up, but I'm open for the Olympics. I'm not sure when the next international week is so it all depends on the national coaches."
De Guzman, who moved to Holland when he was 12, was an all-star with Feyenoord in the Dutch first division this season. He hasn't informed the Canadian Soccer Association or national men's head coach Dale Mitchell of his decision.
There's been enormous speculation surrounding his intentions for more than a year now as he emerged as a star who might join his brother Julian on the Canadian team that's about to begin qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"I made the decision a couple weeks ago and I only spoke with my family and my agents. My brother had the most influence on me. Every time talked to him about it, it made me feel a lot better about my decision," De Guzman said.
The single biggest obstacle to playing for the Netherlands was gaining his Dutch citizenship, which happened Wednesday.
"I had a ceremony at city hall in Rotterdam with 110 others waiting to get their certificate to pick up their passport, so it means I'm officially Dutch."
As to the reaction of those following his career in the country of his birth, De Guzman said, "It's sad for the Canadian soccer fans but I've finally made my decision."
