Right back Desevio Payne is currently in the first team of Dutch Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar.
The 18-year-old Payne dressed for the club for the first time on the weekend but did not see action in the 1-1 draw with Vitesse. Payne is also eligible to play for Holland through his mother but he was born in South Carolina to a Trinidadian father Ashton Payne. This means he can also represent T&T.
However, the USA is keen to have Payne wear their colours while the player was also called up the Holland national Under-18 team recently.
While Payne would be a great acquisition for T&T, it seems the other two countries are leading the race based on the comments of the player and his father.
“I’ve thought a lot about it, and it would be an honour if I would be called by the United States,” Payne said. “It would be a big deal for me.”
His father insists that he is letting his son decide his future.
“It’s all about him,” Aston Payne said. “It’s not really about me. If he’s able to reach that level, I’m all for it. I’ll support him 100 per cent whether it’s Holland or the United States.”
The TTFA through its overseas scouts and contacts and under the guidance of head coach Stephen Hart and his staff will continue to explore the options of overseas-based players eligible of representing T&T both at the senior and youth level.