Midfielder Chiumiento joins Swiss cause
BERN, Switzerland, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Le Mans midfielder Davide Chiumiento has made himself available for the Swiss national side after giving up on plans to play for Italy.
The joint national, who came through the youth system at Juventus, confirmed his loyalties to Switzerland on Monday -- a day before his 21st birthday.
"It became more and more clear to me that it was the right thing to play for Switzerland," Chiumiento told Swiss news agency ATS.
Under FIFA rules, players with joint nationality can make a one-off switch in their footballing allegiances before they reach 21 -- as long as they have not already played at senior level.
Chiumiento, who has helped promoted Le Mans reach 10th in France's Ligue 1 this season, has already played for the Swiss under-21s but turned down two previous call-ups to the senior side while he considered his options.
The highly rated playmaker said Switzerland's qualification for next year's World Cup finals had not influenced his decision.
Last week, Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn was boosted by the news that FC Thun's talented young goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic was also available for the national team.
He moved to Switzerland from Bosnia at the age of five but only received his Swiss passport three years ago.
Jakupovic was promptly called up as a reserve goalkeeper for last week's World Cup playoff matches against Turkey.
BERN, Switzerland, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Le Mans midfielder Davide Chiumiento has made himself available for the Swiss national side after giving up on plans to play for Italy.
The joint national, who came through the youth system at Juventus, confirmed his loyalties to Switzerland on Monday -- a day before his 21st birthday.
"It became more and more clear to me that it was the right thing to play for Switzerland," Chiumiento told Swiss news agency ATS.
Under FIFA rules, players with joint nationality can make a one-off switch in their footballing allegiances before they reach 21 -- as long as they have not already played at senior level.
Chiumiento, who has helped promoted Le Mans reach 10th in France's Ligue 1 this season, has already played for the Swiss under-21s but turned down two previous call-ups to the senior side while he considered his options.
The highly rated playmaker said Switzerland's qualification for next year's World Cup finals had not influenced his decision.
Last week, Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn was boosted by the news that FC Thun's talented young goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic was also available for the national team.
He moved to Switzerland from Bosnia at the age of five but only received his Swiss passport three years ago.
Jakupovic was promptly called up as a reserve goalkeeper for last week's World Cup playoff matches against Turkey.
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