Netherlands winger Groeneveld drops his Dutch surname and take on the Nigerian name Danjuma

BRUGGE winger Arnaut Groeneveld has dropped his Dutch surname and adopted the Nigerian name Danjuma in a move seen as indicating that he willing to switch allegiances and play for the Super Eagles.

Groeneveld, 21, was born in Nigeria but grew up in the Netherlands and has already played for the Dutch U21 side.  Currently playing for Club Brugge in the Belgian league, the winger has dropped a big hint regarding his international future, with his name change, suggesting Nigeria could be ahead of the Netherlands in the quest to cap him at senior level.

Despite having played for the U21 Dutch team  four times at U-21 Groeneveld, appears to be leaning towards representing Nigeria at senior level.  He has dropped his Dutch surname Groeneveld for the Nigerian name Danjuma, adding that that is the name he wishes to be called.

Groeneveld now wears the name Danjuma on the back of his jersey at Club Brugge and will do so for the rest of the season. Danjuma, a very popular Hausa name, is usually given to a child born on Friday.

Already Nigeria have succeeded in luring Tyronne Ebuehi who was also eligible for the Netherlands and a move for Danjuma who can operate on the flanks as a forward of as a wing-back would be a big coup for Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr. Since assuming the job over two years ago, Coach Rohr has stepped up the pursuit of Nigerian footballers in diaspora and has been successful in luring several of them.