Oriundis and Other Naturalized Internationals, Part Ten

1- Pat van den Hauwe -Belgium and Wales 1980s and 1990s

Welsh defender Pat van den Hauwe was born in Dendermonde in Belgium. He was brought up in London and eventually debuted in the English League.

He earned recognition with Everton when they won the League in 1985 and was capped for the first time that year for Wales.

                                           Photo From: Panini England 1985/86

(Pat van den Hauwe)

2- Roberto Di Matteo-Switzerland and Italy, 1990s

Italian midfielder Roberto Di Matteo was born in Schaffhausen in Switzerland. He made his debut in the Swiss League in Aarau.

He transferred to Italy in 1993 to Lazio and was capped by Arrigo Sacchi for Italy a year later in 1994.

                                         Photo From: Panini, Europa ‘96

(Roberto Di Matteo)

3- Yves Triantafyllos-Greece and France, 1960s into the 80s

Yves Triantafyllos was a French-born Greek striker. He had his best spell at St Etienne and Nantes in the 70s.

He earned a solitary cap for France in 1975.

                                      Photo From: Panini, France 1975/76

(Yves Triantafyllos)

4- Viktor Onopko-Ukraine and Russia 1990s and 2000s

Viktor Onopko was a Ukrainian defender from the 90s. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, he opted to represent Russia Internationally ahead of Ukraine, as Russia had replaced the USSR as a Football entity and felt had more of a chance to play in the 1994 World Cup.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 65, June 1994

(Viktor Onopko)

5- Ray Houghton-Scotland and Republic of Ireland, 1980s and 1990s

Glasgow-born midfielder Ray Houghton qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland through the Grand-parent rule.

He had been overlooked by Scotland, but Jackie Charlton selected him for Ireland as Houghton was eligible since his father was born in Buncrana, Donegal County in Ireland.

                                           Photo From: Panini, Europa ‘88

(Ray Houghton)