Football: Musa's signing a 'coup' for club

James Musa, seen here playing for Team Wellington against Hawke's Bay United, has joined South Melbourne FC as a defender for the winter season. Photo/File

Wanganui football export James Musa has touched down in his latest international home after signing with the South Melbourne FC.

The former Wellington Phoenix and Fulham under-21 defender returned from England at the start of the summer to link up with Team Wellington in the ASB Premiership, while also doing extramural studies through Massey University's Wellington campus.

Team Wellington made the ASB Premiership grand final in March but went down in a 1-0 thriller to Auckland City, with Musa having a chance to tie the match in the dying moments before his shot at goal was barely deflected wide.

Just days later his signing with SMFC was made public, with the 22-year-old joining the club which competes in the semi-professional National Premier League Victoria, one tier down from the Hyundai A-League.

Coming under coach Chris Taylor, Musa arrived at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne at an opportune time as the club's regular centre-half Shaun Kelly was ruled likely to miss the entire season with injury.

Given he can play left-back, centre-half or defensive midfield, it was likely Musa would be paired with his former Team Wellington team mate Michael Eagar, now SMFC captain, at centre-half.

The young man has had a good impact, being named man of the match in his club's 1-0 win over Melbourne Knights in their local derby last Sunday, making it seven wins on the trot for South Melbourne 2014.

SMFC's football director Nicholas Maikousis was delighted with the signing.

"It is quite a coup to secure the playing services of James given his experience playing in the A League and the United Kingdom.

"He will join what is looking like a formidable defence at South and look forward to him having a big season."

While the club now plays below A-League, SMFC is considered the most successful soccer club in Australia. Established in 1959, they have won four national championships, a host of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship.