Bournemouth of England striker, Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld has hinted that he could switch national team allegiance from his father’s country, Holland to star for his mother’s nation, Nigeria, since he is yet to get a senior call-up by The Netherlands.
Megasportsarena.com reports that, though he has already starred for Holland at youth level and a couple of international friendlies, he is yet to get a senior competitive cap, which the lad, who was born in Lagos on January 31, 1997, could spur him into making a switch.
However, Danjuma, who earned his first full international call up when Holland’s new coach, Ronald Koeman gave him an invitation in October 2018, then played against Germany on October 13 as a 68th-minute substitute, said he is not in a hurry to make the switch.
The former Club Brugge of Belgium youngster, who scored his first international goal for The Orange on October 16, 2018 against Belgium, interjected that he will take his time before arriving at decision on his international future, while adding that his focus for now is on how to help Bournemouth back to the English Premier League.
With The Cherries currently battling in fifth place on the log of the lower division, English Championship, Danjuma admits his side need his total focus and though he has been personally outstanding, he is seeking better trappings for the team as a whole.
The 24-year-old forward admitted he has an advantage that FIFA’s new rules mean he can still make the international switch anytime he is ready, despite having played for The Netherlands in friendlies against Belgium and Germany, but stressed that he will not rush into a decision.
Danjuma told Bournemouth Echo: “I’ve heard about Nigeria, but I can’t say much about it right now. I would still like to represent the Netherlands, but I am not being called up at the moment. Maybe I should make another choice.
“The rules have changed, so it is still possible. This is not a decision that you make in a split second. I have to take my time. The club is the most important now. I want to be sure of the return to the Premier League first. What happens to the national team is now on the second plan.”
