Dual Citizenship Dilemma: Talented Niko Sigur chooses Croatia
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
19-year-old Hajduk Split right-back, Niko Kristian Sigur, has chosen to represent Croatia and is on the preliminary list of coach Dragan Skočić for the upcoming U-21 European Championship.
Sigur was born in Canada where he grew up and played football until the beginning of 2022 when he moved to NK Radomlje, a partner club of Hajduk Split. He then moved to the Hajduk Split academy and this spring made his debut for the first team as a right-back. He also performs well as a defensive midfielder.
Due to dual citizenship, Sigur has the possibility to play for Croatia or Canada, and was recently part of Canada coach John Herdman’s plans ahead of the Gold Cup. After a conversation with the technical director of the A and U-21 national team, Stipe Pletikosa, Sigur, along with his family, made the decision to represent Croatia, the Croatian Football Federation said today.
“Croatia is the homeland of my family, and that’s why I want to wear that beautiful Croatian shirt in the future. I appreciate and love Canada where I lived and grew up playing football, but I feel that this is the right and best decision. I thank the Croatian Football Federation for expressing their desire for me to play for Croatia, Hajduk for the opportunity to develop my football skills in Croatia, and my family for the tremendous support I feel every day. I am extremely excited to represent Croatia, which is a true global football powerhouse,” said Sigur.
“Radi se o odgovornom, zrelom i ambicioznom mladiću odlučnom da postane vrhunski nogometaš; s velikom željom pristupa igranju za Hrvatsku” – Stipe Pletikosa
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) May 30, 2023
Desni branič iz @hajduk, Niko Kristian Sigur, odabrao je predstavljati Hrvatsku! Niko, dobrodošao u #obitelj! 🇭🇷🔥 pic.twitter.com/BkJYDt06y7
“We are naturally thrilled by Niko Sigur’s decision and his family’s decision, and we welcome him to the Croatian football family. In a short period, he has shown high quality, plays with great discipline and maturity, and has excellent technical skills, which, combined with his physical characteristics, make him a serious national team prospect. Through a pleasant conversation with Niko and his family, I am convinced that he is a responsible, mature, and ambitious young man who is determined to become a top football player and has a strong desire to play for the Croatian national team. It’s up to him to continue progressing and fulfilling his full potential through dedicated work,” said Stipe Pletikosa, the technical director of the A and U-21 national team.
