Joel Piroe goes against his word as decision made over future amid Leeds exit talk
Joel Piroe has some big decisions to make this month, with many predicting an exit for the Leeds United striker.
Piroe was superb for Leeds last season as his 19 goals helped fire the Whites to Premier League promotion.
However, Piroe has been linked with a Leeds exit after falling down the pecking order this season behind the brilliant Dominic Calvert-Lewin and others.
Middlesbrough are interested in signing Piroe, who may well push for a move away from Elland Road in order to play more regularly.
While Piroe’s club future is up in the air, he has now made a decision on his international allegiance.
Joel Piroe set to represent Suriname
Even when banging in the goals for Leeds in the Championship, Piroe did not get a look-in for the Netherlands national side.
And with a World Cup around the corner, it appears Piroe has decided to switch allegiance to Suriname, whom he is eligible to represent due to his family tree.
As per Voetbal International, Piroe has decided he will now play for Suriname going forward and has set his sights on the 2026 World Cup.
Indeed, Piroe confirmed as much in an interview with the Dutch outlet.
Suriname could become the lowest-ranked nation ever to qualify for the global showpiece, with a playoff against Bolivia on the horizon.
The winners of that semi-final will face either New Caledonia and Jamaica in the play-off final.
Piroe said last year he would decline the chance to play for Suriname as he wanted to play for the Netherlands, but it seems that ship has sailed and he has therefore gone against his word.
Piroe to link-up with former Leeds United player
Piroe will now link-up with Suriname for those World Cup qualifiers in March. Should they qualify – which is a massive ask – he will then be away for a month next summer.
That is assuming he is still at Elland Road come then, as teams are lining up to sign Piroe this month.
Suriname have a clear approach to get to the World Cup, as they are turning to players from elsewhere with Surinamese decent.
| Joel Piroe | Games | Goals |
| Jong PSV | 54 | 14 |
| PSV | 14 | 3 |
| Sparta Rotterdam (loan) | 20 | 2 |
| Swansea City | 96 | 46 |
| Leeds United | 98 | 33 |
Former Leeds player Crysencio Summerville is also being targeted, and it may well be he does the same as Piroe.
Meanwhile, ex-Leeds player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was recently appointed as assistant manager of Suriname.
Leeds fans may well have one eye on how the Natio perform at the World Cup should they do the unthinkable and get there.