Canadian De Guzman finds niche with Deportivo La Coruna

May 28, 2007

By Mike Perez

LA CORUNA, Spain - Canadian international Julian De Guzman admits life could hardly be better for him in Spain now he is back in favor at Deportivo La Coruna and playing against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

De Guzman, a defensive midfielder, became the first Canadian to play in the Primera Liga after joining Depor from German side Hannover in the summer of 2005.

However, after starting 18 matches in his first season in Spain, De Guzman's dream looked like it was turning sour when he found himself out of favor at the start of the current campaign, making just two appearances before Christmas.

It has been a totally different story in 2007, though, with the 26-year-old starting 17 league and cup games after being recalled by Depor coach Joaquin Caparros.

Among those matches have been fixtures against La Liga superpowers Barca, Sevilla and, most recently, Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this past weekend.

De Guzman admits his love for life in Spain has been rekindled in the last few months.

"It's a dream come true to be out here, not just the football alone but the culture, the lifestyle ... it's amazing," he said following his side's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid. "It is a dream come true to play at the Bernabeu and something that will take a while to settle in. Unfortunately we didn't get the result but just to be here, part of the whole hype, was something great.

"The highlight for me is simply being here, being the first Canadian, representing my people and my country. I never thought I would have the chance to play in what for me is the top league in the world, and here I am. ... I'm very thankful and honored to be in this position."

De Guzman, who was in born in Scarborough, admits though that there times at the end of 2006 where he seriously considered quitting Spain due to his lack of first-team action at Depor.

"I came into the season thinking I'd get a much better chance of being a starter and in the first half of the season I didn't play at all," he said. "I was definitely disappointed with that, so I was looking elsewhere to play. I didn't want to leave Spain at all, but if it came down to it I would definitely do it if it meant I could play, because I am too young to be sitting on the bench."

De Guzman was linked with moves to Charlton, Sheffield United and Wigan in England, as well Dutch giants Ajax and a possible return to Germany.

"During the winter break there were a couple of offers to go to the Premiership and I was kind of leaning towards that, especially not playing in the first half of the season," the former North Scarborough and Marsella man said. "Now I'd prefer to stay in Spain and am very happy here. And as long as I get to play that is all that matters."

The turning point for De Guzman at Depor came when he was included in the starting lineup for the home match against Real Madrid back in January, the team's opening fixture of 2007.

Depor had failed to win any of their previous nine matches heading into that clash at the Riazor, and the pressure was on Caparros.

Fortunately for the Galician club, everything fell right in a 2-0 victory, a result which sparked a 12-match unbeaten run in the league and Copa del Rey.

"The home game against Madrid is when it all changed," De Guzman said. "It was the coach's last chance' if we would have lost that game he would have been fired so he played his last cards in that game, including me, and came out with the win and we played well.

"I've been playing pretty much every match (now) and am satisfied at the moment." added the Canadian.

De Guzman said he would welcome a contract extension to stay with Deportivo.

"If there is an opportunity to stay longer than the two years which I have remaining (on his contract), then I would definitely do it," Guzman said. "I'm very happy here and it's just unfortunate the team is not really living up to its expectations from previous years."

The diminutive midfielder said he has settled in well in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia.

"We (the players) do get a lot of respect up there. Everybody knows who you are but they give you your space and are very friendly," De Guzman said. "It's a small city, there's a lot of countryside up there, it's near the coast and is very beautiful.

"In the winter it rains a lot but for me it's not a problem because when I was living in Germany, the winters were pretty brutal. We get a lot rain in the winter but apart from that the weather is incredible."

De Guzman has been included in Canada's 20-man squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in the United States, which starts on June 6.