KEY POINTS:
All White defender Che Bunce, who has signed for English club Coventry City, says he got an offer he just had to accept.
Bunce, 31, looked set to join Scottish Premiership club Dundee United, but instead accepted a short-term deal with the Sky Blues yesterday morning, three hours
before the transfer window closed.
"I was all set to sign for Dundee United and then this offer came along," he told the City website.
"It was a great opportunity to come here and I couldn't help but take it."
Coventry are mid-table in the Championship and Bunce's contract with the Midlands club runs until the end of the season.
He said the coming weeks would be a learning experience.
"To be honest, I don't know a lot about Coventry City or the Championship," he said. "I have obviously seen some of the English Premiership on TV, but being at Coventry will all be a bit of new experience for me."
Bunce joined on a free transfer, ending uncertainty about his future in the wake of the New Zealand Knights' demise.
He is expected to be in Coventry's extended squad for the Championship fixture away to Sunderland this weekend, although he hasn't been told whether he will be playing.
He described himself to City fans as "a good old-fashioned centre-back".
"I roll my sleeves up and I get stuck in," he said.
"I've got a bit of experience to offer as well, so I'm looking forward to my time here."
Caretaker boss Adrian Heath said Bunce had plenty of experience and would provide "a real presence" in the heart of the defence.
One of his team-mates at the Knights, fellow All White Noah Hickey, has not been so lucky with his bid to play in England.
Hickey, 28, has failed to get a work permit, putting an end to a planned move to League Two leaders Walsall.
He missed out an automatic work permit despite having played the required number of internationals because New Zealand are ranked outside the world's top 80 football nations.
An appeal by the club was turned down.
"It was really disappointing, just to know that I pretty much can't play in England," said Hickey.
He was considering his options, including possible moves to the United States or to elsewhere in Europe.
Meanwhile, All White defender Ryan Nelsen lasted 90 minutes in Blackburn Rovers' 3-0 Premiership loss at champions Chelsea yesterday.
It was Nelsen's second match back after a nine-month injury layoff.
- NZPA
