Football: Anthony Hudson hauls in Greek catch for All Whites

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson. Photo / Getty Images

A player who has spent a decade in professional football in Greece - and has racked up almost 100 games in the Greek Super League - is set to be included in Anthony Hudson's next All Whites squad to face South Korea later this month.

In the traditions of Winston Reid's discovery, New Zealand Football hope they have uncovered another gem, with their global scouting efforts of the last six months about to pay off.

Mark down the name of Themistoklis Tzimopoulos. It's understood the 29-year-old defender has New Zealand heritage through his mother, and is eligible to represent this country.

He was discovered after NZF - and principally Hudson - went public in their desire to find New Zealand-eligible players across the globe. Hudson has appeared in radio programmes and newspapers across England and Europe and NZF have been more proactive through international football networks.

Tzimopoulos, who was born in Athens, has played for PAS Giannina since 2010 and is in his fourth season in the top tier of Greek football. The Greek Super League is not comparable to the premier competitions in England, Germany, Spain or Italy but is a respected European league.

Panathinaikos have twice reached the last eight of the Uefa Champions League (and made the final of the old European Cup) and Olympiacos and AEK Athens have enjoyed success over big European clubs.

The Greek Super League is currently ranked 13th in Europe, ahead of Austria, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Poland and all of the Scandinavian leagues. It's renowned as a physical league and also a test of character - a place where playing away from home can be extremely hostile.

PAS are currently sixth in the 18-team league and have achieved draws against both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos this season.

Themistoklis Tzimopoulos could be picked for the All Whites.

Tzimopoulos is a defensive midfielder or central defender with an eye for a goal, having notched four in the current campaign. If he can make the transition, he will provide vital competition within the All Whites squad.

Hudson has been scouting Tzimopoulos for the last four months and is impressed.

"He is physically very strong and comfortable on the ball," Hudson said. "He's an experienced player, good in the air and technically sound. You have to be pretty tough to play in Greece - it's not an easy place to play - so [Themistoklis] must have done OK."

Kosta Barbarouses was the last New Zealander to play in Greece, for Panathinaikos in the 2012/2013 season. The two-time A League champion started just six matches, with another five appearances off the bench.

Foreign-based recruits are nothing new in football, right from Alfredo Di Stefano - who was born in Argentina but played for Spain - in the 1950s. It's become a reality of the modern game, with defending champions Spain selecting Brazilian-born Diego Costa ahead of last year's World Cup.

"We have to spread our net as wide as possible," said Hudson. "You never know who is out there. It's all about increasing the depth of the squad. If I was selecting for the [World Cup] qualifiers tomorrow, it's a relatively small pool. By 2017, especially with all the young players coming through, you hope it is a lot larger."

Hudson has recently returned from a whistle-stop tour of Europe, visiting players based in the Northern Hemisphere. He spent time with Reid, Tommy Smith, Chris Wood, Ryan Thomas and Bill Tuiloma, among others, and also met coaches and other staff at the respective clubs.