T&T defender Aubrey David would soon be a citizen of Costa Rica.
The COVID-19 pandemic has, as it has done to many things around the world, affected this process for David becoming a Costa Rican from taking place temporarily, but David, a Guyanese-born who plays for T&T, is certain to have triple citizenship once the opportunity presents itself as he is married to a Costa Rican.
David in an interview recently told Guardian Media Sports the move is not aimed at playing for the 'Ticos' but to make things easier for himself and his club- Deportivo Saprissa in the top-flight Costa Rican Football League.
" To play in these countries it's difficult in terms of the spots they have. It's not like other leagues where they allow like seven foreign players, so you have to actually be at the top of your game to get in.
So now that I am eligible to become a citizen, and also free up a spot for Saprissa and make it easier for myself, that even if I go somewhere else, I can come back here and not be counted as a foreigner, it helps everybody.
It wasn't an easy decision but it has been years, the directors came to me and said it was a possibility. What I thought about the most was if it would have affected anything with T&T and it doesn't so it will help me in my professional career.
The process hasn't even been started as yet. It is something that I've been thinking about. There is a lot of complications to get it because with the whole pandemic situation, some papers I have to go down to T&T to get but I haven't had dialogue so. Then it was the end of the season and then we had the CONCACAF Gold Cup."
David made his full international debut for the T&T national team on 29 February 2012 against Antigua and Barbuda at the age of 21, but following the team's elimination from the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers David made an about-turn by accepting an invitation to play for Guyana.
He returned to the red, white and black of T&T in November 2012 and has played for the Soca Warriors since.
Late last year David was adjudged the T&T Football Association's Player of the Year, an award he embraced with gratitude, saying he gave God thanks for the opportunity to have health and strength to play the game of football, and also be recognised for it. He ruled it as his best year, in spite of the pandemic: " 2021 I could say would have been my best year because we won two trophies out of three and also we had a good Gold Cup, although we didn't reach as far as we would have liked to.
We would have liked to go further on in the tournament but we had a good showing and we made the country proud, so 2021 was a good year for me, the only thing is that we didn't end the year by winning another trophy with my club.
David's achievement for 2021 in fact, exceeded all expectations as he was voted the fifth most consistent player around the world, in terms of appearances for both club and country. This he accredited to his self-care.
After seeing the statistic it was a feeling of gratitude, more importantly, I'm thankful to God for giving me health and strength and keeping me injury free so I can be able to help my team, help my country by being on the field.
I had to sit down and think 67 games in one year without any injury, without any complications, I felt very grateful."
Preparation for the 2022 season kicked off recently for David and Saprissa with hopes that more trophies and titles will be won this year.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian