TALENTED: Tom Probert has signed for WaiBOP United for this season. PHOTO/FILE
TALENTED: Tom Probert has signed for WaiBOP United for this season. PHOTO/FILE
WaiBOP United have signed centre-halves Tom Probert and Adam Mitchell for the 2015/16 ASB Premiership season.
Neither player will need an introduction to Western Bay football fans, with Probert having been part of WaiBOP United's squad during the franchise's first two seasons and Mitchell having represented New Zealand at the2015 Fifa Under-20 World Cup.
Tauranga's Probert, 19, made his ASB Premiership and WaiBOP United debut in the 2013/14 season and has made 17 appearances, primarily at centre-half. Mitchell, also 19, appeared twice for New Zealand at the 2015 U-20 World Cup and captained Wanderers SC in the 2014/15 ASB Premiership.
WaiBOP United head coach Peter Smith is happy to have both players sign on.
"We have good attacking balance in our squad so it was important we brought in some more quality defenders to add to the boys we already have," said Smith. "For someone so young, Tom has done well for us in the past and I think this season he'll start to take on the responsibility of being a senior player at this level. Adam is also young but is experienced at this level through his time with Wanderers SC. He's also a leader, having captained sides at various levels."
Looking at his signings so far, Smith is pleased with the attitude he expects to see within the squad.
"Many of our players this season are young, hungry and have plenty to prove, which is kind of like WaiBOP United in general. I've seen it during our first few weeks of training and our first couple of pre-season matches.
"While they're young, players like Tom, Adam and Adam Luque are big strong lads who have played years of senior football."
- Papamoa local Jesse Edge has returned to New Zealand and will play for Auckland City in the 2015/16 ASB Premiership season. The 20-year-old defender/midfielder previously played for Italian Serie B club Vicenza Calcio and was in the NZ U-20 team at this year's U-20 World Cup.
