Citizenship roadblock ends Kaj Sierhuis' Greece switch hopes

Twenty‑eight‑year‑old striker Kaj Sierhuis, who recently signed for NEC, investigated a switch to represent Greece after being born there, but a lack of a Greek passport and citizenship timing made the plan too complicated. His parents hold Dutch passports and he lived in Greece for just under four years, falling short of the residency threshold. Sierhuis, a forward, has previously featured for the Netherlands' youth side, Jong Oranje, earning thirteen caps. Despite his experience, he has never made a senior debut for the Dutch national team. For the World Cup match between Canada and Morocco, Sierhuis was alongside former Ajax coach John van 't Schip. Van 't Schip served as Greece's head coach from 2019 to 2021.

The match, played in Austria, saw Ajax dominated from the first whistle, with Panathinaikos controlling large spells and creating the better chances. The Greek side took the lead inside the opening ten minutes and never relinquished control.

“I certainly thought of him,” van 't Schip said, noting his interest in Sierhuis for Greece. “Kaj has tried things, but ultimately it was too complicated,” he added. Sierhuis explained that his parents hold Dutch passports and he never obtained a Greek passport despite being born there. He lived in Greece for just under four years, which he believes was insufficient to qualify for Greek citizenship. He said the discussions never materialised into a switch. The striker’s international record remains limited to thirteen appearances for Jong Oranje, with no senior caps for the Netherlands.