Professional soccer player in Belgium, MLS youth academy product, Jersey guy, columnist? Either way you look at it, Nicholas (Niko) Gkionis makes for an interesting case study. His recent guest column in this space attracted a lively debate. Now ASN delves a bit deeper with this Q&A, querying the 24-year old on everything from national team allegiance, his future plans (including a mid-season move to MLS?) and a whole lot more. Read on.

ASN: First of all, how do you prefer to be addressed? I’ve seen Nick, Nicholas and Niko…

NG: I usually go by Niko.

You recently joined Belgian third division club Excelsior Veldwezelt. How are things going so far?

So far so good with Veldwezelt. Our first game back from the winter break was canceled due to the weather, which I think was a blessing because it allows me to train more with my new teammates before the real matches begin. It is definitely a younger team but a very technical team. They play quality soccer here so I just want to help bring some results.

How is the language barrier over there? In Liege they speak French but at Veldewezelt it’s Flemish, right? Has that been difficult to adjust to?

I began picking up French because I had been in Liege for a little while and no one really spoke English but now since I have moved clubs there is more Dutch being spoken. The guys from the Flemish area generally know English as well so it’s easier to communicate now. The coach gives instructions in Dutch but many of the players speak English too. There are also some players from the French area as well so the instructions have to be translated into French for them. It hasn’t been too difficult but it would be cool to pick up Dutch.

And you speak Greek too, right?

I do speak Greek since most of my family are from there and in Cyprus they speak a dialect of Greek as well. I think it’s always good to learn the native language so that way you can fit in a little bit better.

Speaking of which, I know you hold a Cypriot passport but you were born in the U.S., right? What are your ties to Cyprus? Would you ever play for them internationally?

Yes, I was able to attain a Cypriot passport through my mother who was born there. My father was born in Greece so I actually could have gotten a passport there as well if I chose to. However, I was born and raised in New Jersey because that’s where my parents settled, so I consider the U.S. my home. To be honest I do not think much about who I would play for internationally. If that problem ever arose it would be fantastic, but at this point I am just focused on playing the best for my club. Hypothetically, if the U.S. and Cyprus both wanted me, I would represent the USA.

What about Greece? What if Otto Rehagel (Greek national team coach) were to call? Would you play for Greece ahead of the U.S.?

This question is a tough one and could spark an interesting debate. Let me mention first I have some work to do in my career before I have the luxury of making these decisions. Nevertheless, if King Otto were to call me it would be a tough decision to make. Ïf it was about patriotism alone I would choose the USA no doubt about it, but the idea of playing in the European championships is very appealing to me. I am a huge fan of soccer, so if I could line up against the best European teams on a regular basis that would be awesome. When I was younger I played against Guiseppe Rossi and ever since I followed his career and I do not blame him for playing for Italy over the U.S. at all.

Interestingly enough, neither do we…

It’s funny because the people who say Rossi turned his back on his country probably do the exact same thing when they go buy a Manchester United jersey and not a New York Red Bulls one. It’s the same thing I think. A lot of people criticize players for playing for another country but they support a club team from another country over a local MLS team.

So in the end what would I do? I would play for the U.S. if I had a choice between the three. They play at a high level and I believe one day the U.S. will take over the soccer world. However, for example if Cyprus were to call and the USA or Greece didn’t, I would take whatever is on the table. There is a difference between being supporting your country and making the right soccer decision for your career.

I believe you said you’re signed with Veldewezelt through the end of the season but at what point would you consider coming back to the U.S. and to Major League Soccer?

Yes I signed until the end of the season with Veldwezelt. The idea of playing in the U.S. has always crossed my mind because as I said before the USA is home to me and it would be great to play in front of my family and friends. Of course I love Europe and I have been here for almost three years now, but playing in MLS is definitely one of my goals. I believe MLS is a high level of play and I would love to have opportunity to show my ability there. However, I also have some contact in places like the U.K., Greece, and of course Belgium, so at this point I really don’t know where I will be.

You’re a Jersey guy and were part of the then-Metrostars youth system. When was that and what was that experience like?

Yea, I am a Jersey guy and is it even an argument that NJ is the best state in the U.S.? We also have the two best shows ever created. (Sopranos and Jersey Shore). Anyway, yes I played in the Metro-stars youth system which was a great experience because it was a good group that played at a high level. Players like Johnny Exantus, Vincenzo Bernardo, Gabe Ferrari, Ryan Cordeiro, and Jon Borrajo were all in and around the team even though some of them were considerably younger. We lost in a penalty shootout in the Super Y League national final which was unlucky but the experience definitely helped me develop. I know the Red Bulls have a good set up over there so its definitely paving the way for the future in youth development.