JOEL PIROE says the chance to work with ex-Leeds frontman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was a key factor in his decision to switch allegiance to Suriname.
The striker, 26, played for the Netherlands at youth level and had been looking to represent the country of his birth.
But, after a sensational U-turn, Piroe has decided to make himself available for Suriname.
The Leeds marksman qualifies for the Caribbean country through his father.
Piroe said: “I thought long and hard about if I would choose Suriname or not.
“When I spoke to my dad about it, I saw this twinkle in his eye that would make him very proud.
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“At the end I had a good feeling about it and I really want to write history with Suriname.
“I have been to Suriname many times. It was always a special place, especially knowing that my dad and my family grew up there.
“I like to see how they have lived there and to feel the culture, how joyful and outgoing the people are there. It is something that I carry with me as well on the pitch.”
Former Leeds goal-getter Hasselbaink is on Suriname’s coaching staff, along with ex-Chelsea defender Winston Bogarde.
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And Piroe is looking forward to working with both of the Premier League icons as he aims to spearhead his adopted nation to the World Cup through the inter-confederation play-offs.
He added: “There are huge games to qualify for the World Cup. It is very exciting.
“We really look forward to playing those games, starting with Bolivia. We all know what is on the line and we all believe a lot in it as well.
“Also why I chose to play for them is because I get to work not only with Henk ten Cate, who has been an amazing coach for many years already, I also get to work with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
“I think that he is someone I could learn quite a bit from as well.
“First, of course, still the focus is to make sure that we get the next points, make the next steps towards our goal at Leeds United, and then afterwards also for my country.”
