Vicelich Named Captain · Yellow Fever Nga Wana Kowhai · Supporters of the Wellington Phoenix

VICELICH NAMED CAPTAIN

Auckland City FC Media Release

12 September 2008

Recently retired All White great, Ivan Vicelich, will captain Auckland City FC in this year's New Zealand Football Championship.

Vicelich has returned to Auckland after playing professionally in Holland for eight seasons.

He has strong ties with the Kiwitea Street based club, having started his rise to stardom in the late nineties at Central United FC, who are based at the same ground.

He then moved onto the now defunct Football Kingz where he established his reputation as one of the finest midfielders in the Australian National League.

The contacts he established at the Kingz helped him with his move to the Dutch top flight where he played for two teams, Roda JC Kerkrade and RKC Waalwijk.

Vicelich called it quits on his international career in mid August after amassing 63 caps for New Zaland, over a thirteen year period.

Auckland City's chairman Ivan Vuksich says everyone associated with the club is ecstatic with the news of Vicelich's signing and his subsequent appointment as club captain, by Head Coach Colin Tuaa.

"Ivan is one of the finest footballers our country has ever produced. He brings with him a level of professionalism, class and experience that will benefit not just our team, but also the profile of the New Zealand Football Championship and the Oceania Champions League."

"He is one of Kiwitea Street's favourite sons and we're delighted he's back to lead our team this season."

Vicelich is equally as excited to be back at his old stomping ground.

"I am thrilled to be back at Kiwitea Street where I have so many fond memories and experiences from my earlier years as a footballer. It is a great honour to be appointed captain of Auckland City and to lead a club that has been very successful over the past four seasons."

Ivan Vicelich - Career Statistics:

Date of Birth: 3 September 1976

Height / Weight: 1.90m / 84kgs

International Caps / Goals: 63 / 7

International Debut: NZ All Whites vs Denmark U23, 25 January 1995

Club Record:

Period: Club: Games: Goals: 2006-2008 RKC Waalwijk 21 - 2001-2006 Roda JC Kerkrade 129 14 1999-2001 Football Kingz 46 6 1996-1999 Central United FC 96 18 1993-1995 Waitakere City FC 64 4 Totals: 356 42

Honours:

NZ National League Winner - 1995 & 1999;

Chatham Cup Winner - 1994, 1997 & 1998;

NZ International Footballer of the Year - 2002;

NZ Young Player of the Year - 1994;

Jack Batty Memorial Trophy (For Player of the Chatham Cup Final) - 1994 & 1997;

FIFA Confederations Cup - 1999 & 2003;

Oceania Nations Cup Winner - 1998 & 2002 & 2008;

NZ Representative - U17, U20, U23 and Full International;

Uli Stieleke2008-09-12 13:16:28