Deklan Wynne is in Canada - and might not be returning to New Zealand in the near future.
The All Whites fullback, who was at the centre of the eligibility saga that saw the Oly-Whites disqualified from the Pacific Games, has been trialing with Vancouver Whitecaps for the past fortnight.
Scouting reports have been favourable and there is a chance Wynne will be offered a contract, although he would likely be initially based in the Whitecaps' second team, who play in the United Soccer League.
Right now, he's just happy to be out of the spotlight, thousands of kilometres from the eligibility storm in New Zealand.
"I've just got to get through it," Wynne told The Province. "My team-mates have definitely been supportive and just trying to keep my spirits up. I'll just focus on football. I love playing, so that's what I'll do."
The Whitecaps became Canada's second MLS franchise in 2010. Their highest league finish has been ninth in 2014 and they became the first Canadian team to make the playoffs in 2012. All Whites and Phoenix defender Michael Boxall made 19 appearances for the Whitecaps during 2011-12.
