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Burnaby's Niko Sigur selected for CANMNT friendlies against U.S., Mexico

The Burnaby product, 20, recently switched his national soccer allegiance from Croatia to Canada.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
nikosigur001
Burnaby's Niko Sigur has been selected for two upcoming friendlies against the U.S. and Mexico.HNK Hajduk Split

Niko Sigur, the Burnaby soccer player who recently switched his national allegiance to Canada from Croatia, will make his first appearance in Canadian colours next month in two friendlies against the U.S. and Mexico.

Canada Soccer announced the 20-year-old as one of 23 players that will don the maple leaf during the September FIFA window. 

Canada will play their FIFA 2026 World Cup co-hosts U.S. on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Kansas City and Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in Dallas. 

“We’re excited to get the group back together after a positive Copa América," Canada men's national team head coach Jesse March said in a news release.

"We’re eager to play against two of the best teams in our region to help prepare us for the upcoming Concacaf competitions.”

Sigur announced on Aug. 21 that he would be leaving Croatia's national team and joining Canada. 

In May 2023, Sigur was called up to the Croatia U21s to represent the country at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He was also called up by the senior Canadian men's national team, but chose to play for Croatia.

"It was an honour to represent Croatia, which is a football superpower and which is my family's homeland, but with the passage of time I felt that I wanted to represent the country where I grew up and started my football career, Canada," read a translated statement posted to the Croatian Football Federation's official X account (formerly known as Twitter).

"I appreciate the open communication and understanding of this decision by HNS — and I thank the coaches and teammates in the national team for the pleasant time I spent as a young Croatian national team player. 

"I will always be a big fan of Croatia, to which I wish a lot of luck and success." 

Sigur plays his club soccer for HNK Hajduk Split of the Croatian First League.

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