Soccer: Kingz now have full overseas complement

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Aaron Silva's return from Chile yesterday afternoon has ensured the Football Kingz will have their complement of four overseas players at training today.

Silva, the only first-season, non-Oceania player to re-sign with the Auckland-based franchise, has a new one-year contract and joins Julio Cuello, Dennis Ibrahim and Andy Bluhm as the club's overseas signings.

"We were allowed five in the first year but that has dropped to four this year and will be cut to three next season in line with the Australian clubs in the NSL," Kingz general manager Chris Turner said yesterday.

Bluhm, a 25-year-old German midfield/utility player, arrived earlier in the week. The former Fortuna Dusseldorf and Koln player has come virtually sight unseen, although Kingz player/coach Wynton Rufer has played against him.

The other overseas players are 22-year-old Argentine goalkeeper Cuello and German striker Ibrahim.

Paul Urlovic and Gerard Davis, just back from their part in the All Whites' triumph at the Merdeka tournament in Kuala Lumpur, have joined the Kingz on one-year deals; first season players Che Bunce, Jonathan Perry and Ivan Vicelich have signed for a further two years; Harry Ngata has signed for another two years after initially signing a two-year contract last year.

Lee Jones, Aaran Lines - now back to full fitness, and under a loan arrangement with Christchurch club Halswell - and Rufer are on one-year contracts.

Fred de Jong, who retired at the end of last season but has since returned to play for Central United and helped them through to next month's Bluebird Chatham Cup final, is still having talks with the Kingz aimed at having him available on a when-required basis.

Jeff Campbell and Noah Hickey, also back from the Merdeka tournament, are in discussion with the Kingz but are unlikely to sign anything until after they have completed their seasons with University/Mt Wellington and Central respectively.

Mark Elrick and Leigh Kenyon remain in the Kingz fold but will be paid on a performance-based arrangement when and if required.

Batrum Suri is back with his family in trouble-torn Solomon Islands but the Kingz remain hopeful he will return, while Levent Osman, the only surviving Australian among the five who played for the club last season, has returned to a new two-year deal.

Cuello remains the only goalkeeper on the club's books following the decision to release Jason Batty. A second goalkeeper will be named but assistant coach Shane Rufer does not know when.

"We are taking Chris Marsh to Rotorua with us next week,"said Rufer. "We are keen to have a look at him.

"There will also be further talks with Ross Nicholson and maybe Simon Eaddy and others.

"There are still seven weeks before the season starts and we are not discounting having a look in Australia either."

The Kingz will have two matches during their Rotorua training camp.

The first, next Wednesday, will be against a local selection. The second will be against NSL club Northern Spirit, who include former Socceroo Robbie Slater.

They also have scheduled games against defending NSL champions Wollongong Wolves in Christchurch on September 16 or 23, against Marconi Stallions in Wanganui on October 6 and a Manawatu Xl in Palmerston North two days later.

There is also remains the possibility of a game against Central in their build-up towards the Chatham Cup final.