Holden nails paying football gig

SCORED: Former Wanganui Athletic midfielder Ryan Holden has signed with top New Zealand summer league outfit, Team Wellington.

Wanganui Athletic midfielder Ryan Holden has only been in the country less than a year and has already secured a paying gig in the game he loves.

The Manchester-born footballer has signed with Team Wellington and has his first hitout in a pre-season warm-up match against Hawkes Bay in Palmerston North today.

The 22-year-old arrived in Wanganui nearly a year ago to be near family after completing his media studies degree back home in England. He joined Athletic and made an immediate impact playing in the Central Football Federation League where he got noticed.

'I put my CV in and got chosen to trial for Team Wellington about three weeks ago and was lucky enough to be asked to sign," Holden said yesterday.

Team mate and Wanganui Athletic goalkeeper Matt Calvert was also asked to trial, but unfortunately missed a call up to the side.

"I'm happy I was able to sign. It was either that or head home and I really like it here in New Zealand."

Holden arrived in the country with impressive credentials.

He was part of the Manchester United Football Club's Academy for nine years during his junior days.

"I really didn't get an opportunity to play at top level at home because of my studies, although I did play for my university and that's a fairly tough competition,' Holden said.

"In fact, it was a step up to come here and play for Athletic and yet another big step up to Team Wellington. They won last season's Stirling Sport (formerly ASB) Premiership after beating Auckland City in the final, so they are the best team in the country below the Phoenix."

Holden was looking forward to the season ahead.

"I also decided to sign because I wanted to challenge myself and see if I was good enough to play for a summer league team. From what I've seen there appears to be quality all over the pitch."

Holden said he was glad to have a degree as back-up, but the Team Wellington gig was a paying job.

"It's fairly limited, but liveable in the first year, but if I'm retained in year two and beyond it's great," Holden said.