Fijian star Esava Naqeleca is the latest notable addition to the Wairarapa United playing ranks for the 2012 football season.
The 22-year-old full back will join the side after playing for his home land in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Taupo this month.
Tall and athletic, Naqeleca has been labelledby his national coach as the best player in the current Fiji line-up.
While he has managed just one goal in his 14 appearances for his country it was a beauty, a booming drive in a 2-0 win over Vanuatu last year.
The acquisition of Naqeleca was revealed just one day after Wairarapa United confirmed that Miramar Rangers goalkeeper Phil Imray was tranferring to them for this coming season.
Imray's signing was hailed as a major coup for United, who were without a proven keeper after incumbent Mark Borren made himself unavailable. Naqeleca's signing is every bit as exciting as he should be the ideal replacement for another of last year's guns in Scott Robson, who is now playing in Australia.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley said Naqeleca, who captains Suva, would have different strengths to Robson.
Keinzley pointed out that Naqeleca's height would be "very useful" in set piece situations. "He's very good in the air and that's something we can utilise," he said.
More good news for Wairarapa United yesterday was confirmation that their seconds team hag been promoted to the Capital 3 competition for the 2012 club season.
That gives Wairarapa two teams in that grade now with Masterton already there, while Douglas Villa will be one tier further up in division two.
