Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina is confident he’s made the right decision to prepare for the World Cup by training with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven rather than playing in Asia or the Middle East.

National team coach Pim Verbeek made no secret of his belief that A-League players contending for the World Cup squad should stay active with clubs elsewhere with the domestic season finishing on Saturday.

But Culina said Verbeek had given his blessing to his plan, which will see him join his former club PSV Eindhoven on a five-week, training-only deal from April 1.

The move comes after he previously knocked back offers to play in Asia and the Middle East.

Culina says the standard offered by PSV and his familiarity with the set up made it the best move.

“The decision to go to PSV was made with Pim’s blessing and we both thought it was a very good idea for me to train at a very high level with a top European club,” he said.

“I had the option of going to Europe in January and to the Middle East or Asia a few weeks ago, but I declined those offers as PSV was always in the back of my mind.

“My decision was made easier by the standard of football in Holland and the quality of the training, which with all due respect, is higher than what I would find in Asia or the Middle East.

“I know the area, I know everyone there and they know me, so the transition will hardly be felt at all, which allows me to just slip right in and concentrate on doing what I’m there to do.”

Culina spent four years at PSV from 2005-09, winning three league titles, before joining Gold Coast United before the start of this A-League season.

Culina is hoping to join the national team set-up in May before this year’s World Cup, which starts on June 11.

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.