Naturalization process accelerates, Caldecott expected to play for national team next January
On June 30, Beijing time, reporter Bai Guohua broke the news about the naturalization procedure of player Caldecott, which is expected to take about half a year. It is reported that Caldecott is expected to debut in the Chinese national team jersey in January 2022 at the earliest, and even have the opportunity to participate in the remaining four matches of the World Preliminary League Asian Zone 12 tournament.
Bai Guohua posted on his social media, "The naturalization of Caldecott has finally been confirmed by the CFA. Based on the current situation, it will take about half a year to naturalize Caldecott, and he will represent China as early as January next year. According to the current schedule of the 12-team tournament, it is possible for Caldecott to catch the last four matches of the 12-team tournament."
In addition, media personality Zhou Yan also discussed Caldecott's naturalization, writing in his microblog, "With the draw for the National Football League's Top 12 tournament tomorrow, there is a new development for the two key naturalized players. Dai Weijun's hukou relocation is progressing well, just short of the final review; Caldecott's naturalization is strongly supported by all parties, and by the end of July he will meet the conditions for naturalization, which will begin to move forward normally."
Caldecott, 32, joined Chinese side Chongqing Contemporary Lifan in July 2016 from Sao Paulo, Brazil for a transfer fee of €5 million. This season, he joined Shenzhen FC and made five appearances for SZFC, contributing three goals and two assists.
