If New Zealand Football have anyone to thank about Tyler Bindon's switch of allegiances from the United States to the All Whites, it's his Kiwi grandmother.
Nana's words of wisdom have helped the 18 year-old defender make a decision about representing the nation of his birth over the US.
"I chose New Zealand because it's my home at the end of the day and I want to represent what's close to my heart," the new All White said.
Bindon, who still maintains a recognisable Kiwi accent, is confident he's made the right decision for his career.
"The US was a great programme, really well run and professional, but at the end of the day this is what my heart wants and where I feel most attached and that's New Zealand."
It was only in March that Bindon made his two appearances for the USA U-19s.
"After a good chat with nana it was all about follow your heart and that's something we've preached from a really young age for him," mum Jenny Bindon said.
The Reading F.C defender is now in line to make his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Murcia, Spain, on Saturday.
Another dual-national All White, Matt Dibley-Dias, was on the verge of joining Bindon as one of New Zealand's newest players but has had to return to English Premier League club Fulham with injury.
"When I was younger I used to go to the All Whites matches and think 'hopefully I'll be there one day' and so to be here in camp with all the guys now is special," Bindon said.
But the teenager's fondest footballing memory involves his mother and her efforts in goal for the Football Ferns at the 2012 Olympic Games.
The goalkeeper played 77 times for New Zealand and has gone on to coach Arsenal's up and coming female goalkeepers in their youth academy.
That's not his only sporting influence — his father Grant Bindon was the New Zealand Volleyball captain.
After being on the sidelines of their sporting careers, the parents will be in Spain to see their son hopefully make his debut.
"Grant will definitely cry, I'm sure there'll be a few tears of happiness," mum Jenny said.
"He's very mature for his age. For an 18 year-old we look at photos from five years ago when we moved out of New Zealand to go to LA, he's gone from a little boy to a young man," dad Grant said.
"Covid happened somewhere in the middle of all that and he just grew up and he's also grown up both mentally and physically.
"He's very mature, takes it all on his shoulders and just seems to roll with it."
That level-headedness is serving Bindon well for third tier club Reading in England's League One.
He's risen the ranks in just a few months after signing in August, making his debut against Millwall in a 4-0 Carabao Cup win.
Just last week he scored his first goal for The Royals in a 2-1 loss to Leyton Orient.
"It's pretty unheard of for an 18 year-old to be playing in League One so I'm grateful for that opportunity," Bindon said.
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