Pascal Struijk was born in Belgium but his family moved to the Netherlands when he was just three-years-of-age. The Leeds United player has been able to pick the national team he wants to represent, able to appear for Belgium, the Netherlands or Indonesia.
There’s long been some confusion about what the defender would choose, with it understandably coming down to a straight choice between the Oranje or Red Devils.
Lous van Gaal named Struijk is his provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup, yet there’s no guarantee that he’ll be making the final cut. That meant there was still some doubt over what the 23-year-old was thinking.
The Leeds United player has now moved to clear up any confusion about his future, and committed himself to the Netherlands regardless of what choices Van Gaal makes ahead of Qatar.
Speaking to ViaPlay, Struijk is quoted by Voetbal Primeur as saying: “I have made my choice clear: I want to play football for Oranje. It would also not be fair to both coaches, the Oranje fans and the fans of Belgium, if I say: I will play for Oranje and then I choose Belgium or vice versa. I would like to play football for Oranje.
“The only way I can influence someone’s choice is through the way I play football. I try to play as well as possible. For the rest I can do nothing but commit myself one hundred percent. Then the choice will be made. If I’m not there, then not. Both: great. I now play at left back, which is new for me. I am developing in this position.”
Struijk has made 11 appearances for Leeds United this season, being used as a left back.
