Maurice Edu doesn't need to see the recent sales figure from Europe -- more than 1.2 million copies sold in the first week of release -- to know the appeal of EA Sports' FIFA Soccer video game.

The former Toronto FC midfielder, now a member of Glasgow Rangers, was a fan of the made-in-Canada game long before he became its North American poster boy.

"It's crazy that I'm on the cover of FIFA because I grew up playing that game, me and my brother," Edu said in an interview from a hotel outside Washington, D.C., where the U.S. hosts Cuba in a World Cup qualifying game Saturday before heading south to play in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.

"When I first found out about it, I was real excited. Now that's it coming out, it's just overwhelming,"

Developed in Burnaby, B.C., by EA Canada, FIFA Soccer 09 is available in 17 languages and sold in 37 countries.

Edu, 22, and brother Reggie, a 20-year-old junior defender/midfielder at the University of Evansville, have played FIFA Soccer together for years. They used to create their own characters, going head-to-head to build up their stats and see who could become the better player.

Reggie usually took charge of Barcelona, leaving Maurice to run Arsenal or Manchester United.

"Now I think I have one up on him, because I actually have my guy in the game," the older Edu said with some satisfaction. "It'll be fun playing now."

Maurice doesn't mince words about his FIFA skills when asked if he's good at the game.

"Yeah," he answers matter of factly.

Online gamers beware.

"When I get my copy, I'm going to set it up online so I can start playing against people across the world."

Edu, the 2007 MLS rookie of the year, is joined on the North American cover by Ronaldinho and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Covers change around the world, although Ronaldinho is usually a constant. He's joined by Wayne Rooney in the United Kingdom and Daniele De Rossi in Italy. Petr Cech is featured on the Czech Republic version while Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema share the French front and Gonzalo Higuain and David Silva are featured in Spain.

Edu normally plays sports video games but will occasionally try his hand at action titles like "Metal Gear Solid" or shooter/war games.

The California native left Toronto FC for Rangers in late August in a US$5-million deal, a move that forced Electronic Arts to spring into action to swap a U.S. national team jersey for the Toronto FC one he had been slated to wear on the cover.

He watched the Rangers-Celtic derby from the bench Aug. 31 and started against Kilmarnock on Sept. 13, a 2-1 win before 50,019 at Ibrox. He was a substitute but did not see action in two of the four games since then.

"It's definitely real competitive," Edu said. "That's something I knew coming into the team. That's something that kind of attracted me - the fact that I'd have to really fight every day for a position on the field.

"I've had a little chance now to get settled in. Now my focus is just solely on trying to get into the team, onto the field."

Edu said while lots of people gave him a heads up on the game in Europe, the change from the MLS was still "eye-opening in some ways."

"It's a quicker pace. You have guys who have played internationally and played in other big leagues, be in England, Spain, wherever the case may be. The level there is higher, so obviously the level of play in Scotland is also faster. It's something I'm trying to get used to and adjust to. But that's going to bring out the best in me, forcing me to play quicker and just think quicker and be more involved in the game."

Rangers' locker-room is a global affair, with players from Algeria, Bosnia, France, Lithuania, Portugal, Scotland and Spain, as well as the U.S.

Edu has already found a place to live and is figuring out his new surroundings with the help of fellow American DaMarcus Beasley. But he is still finding his place with Rangers, suggesting as much by saying "everything outside of soccer is going well."

Edu remains upbeat, however.

"I'm being patient, I'm working hard every day. I'm trying to improve every day, which I think it the key thing for me. Playing professionally, this is only my second year so I think there's still a lot to be done to better myself."

And he has no regrets.

"It's been good. This is what I've always wanted to do - my whole life. And now that the opportunity's come, I'm just enjoying it and trying to make the most of it."

FIFA Soccer 09 launches Tuesday in North America on most platforms. It'll be out Oct. 28 for the Nintendo Wii and DS.