From today's Press:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/9268841/New-Dragons-duo-have-professional-fire
Surprising this story took so long to appear in the Press as it's been news up north for some time - see this story from late September in the Waikato Times. We've poached Marquez, WaiBop have former Canterbury striker Slefendorfas:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/9226047/Marquez-shuns-WaiBop-for-Canterbury
Prolific striker Federico Marquez has ditched WaiBop United before the Premiership season has begun.
The Uruguayan, who netted 23 league goals for Ngaruawahia United this year to help spark their promotion to the Northern League Premier Division, has joined WaiBop's ASB Premiership rivals Canterbury United.
However, WaiBop coach Peter Smith said while he was disappointed by Marquez's pre-season defection, he wasn't going to lose much sleep over it.
''He's obviously a decent player, so disappointed to lose him,'' Smith said.
''But at the same time we've got other players who are as good, if not better. When we looked at putting our starting XI on the field, there probably wasn't a place for Federico.
''We'll just move on. It's not a biggie - there are other players we'd have been more disappointed about had we lost them.''
Marquez is a skilful left-footed frontman with an eye for goal who obviously attracted the attention of Canterbury coach Keith Braithwaite, who last week signed Marquez's Ngaruawahia team-mate Steve Morrison.
WaiBop are likely to start George Slefendorfas and Milos Nikolic up front when they start their season on November 10 in Rotorua in what now looms as a possible grudge match against Canterbury.
On target: Federico Marquez scores his and Ngaruawahia United's second goal in their 5-0 win over North Shore United at the weekend
