by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

It may come as a surprise to admittedly confused observers that questioned the move in the first place, but new Al-Ettifaq winger Jeremiah White insists he feels quite welcome as an American playing soccer in Saudi Arabia.

After two solid years with Aarhus GF in Denmark, the 27-year old asked out of the tail end of his contract. Granted the release, White arrived to Al-Ettifaq as a free agent - almost immediately, the questions began.

Why on Earth did White sign to play his soccer in Saudi Arabia?

Results have been disappointing for Al-Ettifaq this season. The Commandos - who have finished from fourth to sixth in each of the last four Saudi Premier League seasons, largely due to a stingy defense - had scored just 19 goals in 15 games when White arrived.

They will fall short of their aim of making the Asian Champions League. The club sits seventh with three games to play, thus barring a collapse, should be able to lock down a consolation domestic Champions Cup berth and an invite to one of two regional tourneys.

Let's face reality. This is a glitzy catch for club's royal owner with much still to play for: a U.S. international and an attacking presence to boot.

White said all along that taking care of his family was priority #1 in searching for a new team. Not only is he being handsomely paid at Al-Ettifaq, but the deal he signed contains flexibility in case it's not a good fit for his wife and two young sons. Happily, he reports life in Saudi Arabia is going well so far.

"I signed the six-month deal to see how things would be for my family," White told Soccer365. "You should check out the city we live in, Al-Khobar, online. Its really fantastic and the shopping malls are better than the ones in the States."

"My wife and kids are very happy - lets see how they feel when it gets a bit hotter," he jests. "But there is an extension in place for a year."

After beating a hamstring knock to start his tenure, White worked a pair of league sub appearances before getting his first start in a 3-1 Crown Prince Cup defeat away to second flighters Al-Fateh. He says the muscle injury isn't nagging and he's ready for action.

"I am in pretty good shape now," said White. "We had a cup game two days ago, which went into overtime and I played all 120 minutes."

Though most fans' perceive Middle Eastern leagues as weak, the Saudi honor division is at least routinely among the cream of the Asian Football Confederation crop along with Japan and South Korea. What's more, White claims their lower world standing against European leagues isn't down to a lack of talent.

"The skill level here is actually very high," he said. "We have technical players and the European-based players add a bit more physicality to the team."

Won't it be difficult, if not nearly impossible, for an American to fit in there?

Let's face reality again. The United States and Saudi Arabia are different in many ways and have many obvious tensions between them. From 1996 to 2003, there were at least four murderous Islamic Fundementalist attacks on American businessmen or servicemen in the country's second busiest port town, starting with the Khobar Towers bombing that killed 19.

However, in recent years, the royal family has taken several steps to attract foreign investment. Though dangers can still exist, already-tight security has been greatly improved for Westerners and the government has now even eased traditional restrictions on the activity of foreign women.

Having already met several countrymen working in various industries around town, White stands as further proof that the royal plan is working. "In the city we live in, there are a lot of Americans," said White. "We have met several people who work for Saudi Aramco (the largest oil corporation in the world)."

Most importantly for his part, the family is happy. The Saudi people, papa says, are going out of their way to makes the Whites feel at home in their country.

"The Saudis really love American things, products, etc," says White, eager to dispel the notion of any possible animosties. "The guys on the team have been very friendly and helpful. I really feel like the club is bending over backwards to make me feel comfortable."

"I think the fact that I look Saudi makes things easier also," he grins.

With all public displays of his faith now banned, how can he manage as a Christian used to freedom of religious expression? What about the ministry he was starting with former AGF teammate Nando Rafael? Is it, is his faith, on hold for now?

"No, it doesn't have to wait," insists White. "I might not be able to read my Bible in public, but in my villa we have regular dialogues via internet. Also, when I go out, no one can know where I go in my mind when I observe things that are objectionable or pleasing."

The D.C. native believes the practicing of faith can't really be hampered by national ordinances. To White, being Christian translates to any place and any situation. In Saudi Arabia, it simply translates in a quieter, more personal way for him.

"I can pray at anytime," he explains. "My relationship with God is spiritual. I don't have to hold a cross to be a religious. Most people don't know I am a Christian until they ask me specifically."

White often enjoys respectful conversations with Muslims curious about his faith. Though this could surprise some stateside, it stands to reason as several Qur'an passages insist that there should be no adversarial distinctions made against Judeo-Christian religions and that inter-faith discussions always remain uncontentious.

"When I dialogue with people who really practice Islam, they often ask me where I have learned what I know because much of it comes from the Qur'an," says White, clearly unruffled by and open to his surroundings.

"There is no shortage of wisdom in the religions of the world and the correct idea must always win out in a dialogue among men. There is a common moral thread that you find in the Bible, Qur'an, Torah, etc. The difference for me is that I'm a guy that loves Jesus and believes he is who he said he is."

"I believe that God is love and the important thing is the condition of the heart," he adds, closing the book on that question. "The thing that I look for being here is harmony. As a Christian, I can be here and love the people here. I'm not here to settle conflict, but I'm here as a representative in love."

Is he ever going to come play for the Philadelphia Union in his adopted hometown?

Though he worked out briefly with the expansion team, there were no contract talks. That being said, White has an easy answer for this one.

"I would love to play for the Union," he pledged. "If they will have me, I will for sure be there in the future."

Is White really so uninterested in breaking into the U.S. National Team? He has to realize this move surely takes him right out of frame, right?

Well... yes conditionally, and yes. As previously stated by White, USMNT boss Bob Bradley basically lost interest in his services some time after the coach gave the player his first and only cap in a January 2008 friendly win over Sweden.

White - who was even ignored for a call-up when the 'Nats came to play Denmark in AGF's home park last November - simply decided international ambition was one thing he was willing to put on hold in Saudi Arabia.

"As far as the National Team goes, I have had offers that might have put me back in the picture for the (2010) World Cup, but I really couldn't put my family goals on hold for something that hinged on the decisions of a coach who was not totally objective," said White.

"When people have leverage, they tend to take themselves too seriously. If there is another coach in the near future, then it could be nice to play for my country again. For now, I wish the team success in the World Cup. I prefer to see the world with my family, learn new languages, and make friends from different walks of life."

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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