Ecuador's Ulises de la Cruz, who plays for English Premiership soccer club Reading, told Ecuadorian radio on Wednesday from the town of Reading that he was pleased with his new European Union passport, saying that it opens up more opportunity to play in Europe.

De la Cruz, who is a left winger in Ecuador's national soccer team, is the first player from his nation to receive British nationality; after six years of playing for the English team.

He said that he had missed out of several chances to sign for other European clubs because he did not have this passport, adding that he would consider seeking other work next season.

"Now I can feel calm both for myself and my family... I can focus more on my game and my personal life," he said.

He said that after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he had an offer for Spanish club Mallorca, and added that Ecuadorian players had won an enormous amount status internationally, and had overcome their previous mediocrity.

He listed Antonio Valencia, who plays for England's Wigan Athletic; Edison Mendez, at Holland's PSV Eindhoven; Felipe Caicedo, at Swiss team Basel; and Felix Borja, at Greek team Olimpiakos.

Source: Xinhua