Michael Chopra has told Reuters he ready to give up his British passport in order to fulfil his ambitions of playing at international level for India.
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Chopra, 30, is qualified to play for the country of his origin due to his parentage, but the former Newcastle and Leeds striker -- who turned down an approach from the All India Football Federation four years ago -- would have to give up his British citizenship to comply with Indian government passport regulations in order to be selected.
Chopra's grandparents arrived in England in the 1950s from Jalandhar in Punjab, and the player believes he is now ready to take the steps needed to help India progress.
"I was going to play for them four years ago. But at that time I was only 26 and I was too young to give up my British passport and travel around the world at that age," Chopra said. "I just had a little boy that was born and things like that, so it would have been difficult. My boy is six now and he has grown up and understands what his dad has got to do.
"So I plan to move to India and give up my British citizenship and get an Indian passport to play for the national team and take them forward. The Indian team has got some good players. If I can help them raise their profile and make them a better team -- that's my aim.
"Obviously it will be nice to play international football and play against teams I have never played against. It will be good for my career."
Chopra has been selected for Kerala Blasters -- co-owned by Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar -- for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) which runs from Oct. 12 to Dec. 20, and the forward could see himself making the move long-term.
40 days until kickoff! - Looking forward to seeing the #KeralaBlasters logo launch. #ISL
- Michael Chopra (@MichaelChopra) September 2, 2014
"That's my plan. I have spoken to my agency about my future about what I will be doing after the ISL. The prospect of playing in the I-League excites me as well," Chopra said. "And also to play for the national team as well. Hopefully things come along and I can do all three.
"I have never been to India before so everybody is very excited. I have family over in India and everybody is texting me and calling me asking when I am coming over.
"If my grandparents were alive now, the smile on their faces would have been special. They always supported my playing football in England so for me to go back to India and play football over there would have been special for them."
Chopra believes it is just a matter of time before the game gains more popularity in India, and the 30-year-old thinks it could soon rival cricket as the sport of choice for youngsters in the country.
"Everybody talks about cricket in India but I am pleased with the positive reports of the first edition of the ISL and hopefully I can boost it further," he added.
"There are some real class players that will play the tournament and maybe more players will join next year.
"And once the league starts I think there will be lot more kids wanting to play football rather than cricket."