Chris James has signed with Finnish club Tampere United. Photo / Kenny Rodger
All Whites midfielder Chris James has continued the Kiwi connection at Finnish club Tampere United.
The 20-year-old has signed a two year deal with Finland's three-time, defending premier league champions.
The deal ends a lengthy spell on the sidelines for James who was a reserve team regular at
English premier league club Fulham up until last year's Fifa under-20 men's World Cup in Canada.
Former All Whites utility Noah Hickey played for Tampere from 2001-2003, scoring the goal that helped them win the league against Mypa in 2001 as well as an infamous winner with his hand against rivals FC Haka.
Another former All White, Lee Jones, represented Tampere 47 times from 1999-2001.
James is likely to figure in the All Whites' next confirmed fixture, their rescheduled Fifa World Cup qualifier against Fiji in Apia, Samoa, on June 23.
The All Whites then face New Caledonia on September 6 (away) and 10 (home) as they eye a spot at next year's Fifa Confederations Cup and the 2010 Fifa World Cup, also in South Africa.
- NZPA
