This 2011 report on Fitzgerald at the time of his All Whites debut has much interesting information - seems to have a complicated national background - Samoan mother, born in NZ, holds a European passport, he has NZ citizenship (now has Japanese residency as of quite recently - since this article). With his European passport and Japanese residency, would have no problems getting a work visa for Europe:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10715128
"They did not want him to play for New Zealand," says Wynton Rufer, who tutored Fitzgerald through his Wynrs academy. "They were not happy. They initially told him not to accept it [the call-up to the All Whites], which was very sad. They are worried he won't get the visa now.
"They don't want him to count as a foreigner. If he was a local, he could get a contract of US$150,000 but the foreign players are on $500,000 and he won't get one of those because they go to Brazilians. If you're there for five years, you can get residency. Playing for New Zealand puts that in jeopardy.
"But I encouraged him and told him, 'you've got to go for it'. He's a New Zealander. He's from Mt Roskill, his mum is Samoan. You can't say no to that. We are on an all-time high and I know Ricki [Herbert] will be happy with what he sees. The boy is quality."
It was on Rufer's recommendation that Herbert selected Fitzgerald in the first place. Like most people in this country, Herbert hadn't seen the youngster play. He left New Zealand at 16 to take up a football scholarship with one of Tokyo's top high schools and was soon signed by Niigata. Incredibly, his selection for the All Whites was his first stint with any New Zealand team at any level.
Rufer describes him as a "typical Japanese" player with good technical ability and good passing range. At 1.86cm and 70kg, he's slight, but is said to have the ability to get forward. Fullback looks his best fit in a New Zealand side even though he can play anywhere across the back or as a holding midfielder.