from Twitter - another Kiwi off to Portugal
Pleased to announce that I have signed for Rio Ave Futebol Clube. Thank you to everyone who made this move possible. Ready to start my first season in Portugal 
@ Rio Ave Futebol Clube https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnw7I5DDQwQ/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1hytfpz74lvq4…
from Twitter - another Kiwi off to Portugal
Pleased to announce that I have signed for Rio Ave Futebol Clube. Thank you to everyone who made this move possible. Ready to start my first season in Portugal @ Rio Ave Futebol Clube https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnw7I5DDQwQ/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1hytfpz74lvq4…
whats his history? what club did he play or in NZ?
from Twitter - another Kiwi off to Portugal
Pleased to announce that I have signed for Rio Ave Futebol Clube. Thank you to everyone who made this move possible. Ready to start my first season in Portugal @ Rio Ave Futebol Clube https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnw7I5DDQwQ/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1hytfpz74lvq4…
whats his history? what club did he play or in NZ?
Played junior football at Waterside Karori before joining the Phoenix Academy, played Central League for Wellington United through that partnership, has also been a regular for the Weenix in the ISPS Handa prem and been a NZU17 international
2nd Div team?
What position is he?
Surprised you guys don’t know him, he was one of the Nix’s best prospects and trained with the first team last season, started every game i think in the recent NZ U20 qualifying too.
He’s going to Rio Ave who are one of the bigger teams in Portugal’s top flight, with players including Fabio Coentrão
does he have a euro/uk passport?
Why are all these youth players heading overseas... not staying here??
Why are all these youth players heading overseas... not staying here??
1. Better career prospects & standard of football
2. See #1
wouldn't be too many kiwis at better clubs than this?
greater than Ole grads
I watched Auckland City vs Nix reserves earlier this year.
City were way way better than the 2-0 margin - Tade, Morgan, Riera, and many others shone, by comparison.
Rogerson (who I don't think was A league standard) looked clearly the best of the Nix reserves, which included McGarry, Whyte, Patterson, Spragg, and one poor lad who looked completely out of his depth.
Sail didn't seem to trust his backs and mostly went for the long ball.
Think Whyte has a lot of improving to do if he's to make it in a top league as Boyd and Thomas have; ditto McGarry - but maybe Boyd and Thomas simply have more natural ability.
Selection errors happen all the time. It'll be interesting to see how Whyte goes.
I'm curious... not that good, or have our standards and expectations simply got higher these last 4 - 5 years etc.
The reality is, you don't get signed now adays with all the scouting and money in footy unless you have something.
I watched Auckland City vs Nix reserves earlier this year.
City were way way better than the 2-0 margin - Tade, Morgan, Riera, and many others shone, by comparison.
Rogerson (who I don't think was A league standard) looked clearly the best of the Nix reserves, which included McGarry, Whyte, Patterson, Spragg, and one poor lad who looked completely out of his depth.
Sail didn't seem to trust his backs and mostly went for the long ball.
Think Whyte has a lot of improving to do if he's to make it in a top league as Boyd and Thomas have; ditto McGarry - but maybe Boyd and Thomas simply have more natural ability.
Selection errors happen all the time. It'll be interesting to see how Whyte goes.
He is super young, compared to the older pro's from Auck City.
Good luck to the lad
Does he have a Euro passport? If so that could have been the clincher.
Be fascinating to know the process on how a club in Portugal, decides to sign a teenage kid from NZ. By that I mean what videos they watch, did they send someone to OFC U20’s tourney, who they speak to, role of an agent etc etc
I reckon he will have a passport. He has been over in Europe trialling this year once or twice I believe
I watched Auckland City vs Nix reserves earlier this year.
City were way way better than the 2-0 margin - Tade, Morgan, Riera, and many others shone, by comparison.
Rogerson (who I don't think was A league standard) looked clearly the best of the Nix reserves, which included McGarry, Whyte, Patterson, Spragg, and one poor lad who looked completely out of his depth.
Sail didn't seem to trust his backs and mostly went for the long ball.
Think Whyte has a lot of improving to do if he's to make it in a top league as Boyd and Thomas have; ditto McGarry - but maybe Boyd and Thomas simply have more natural ability.
Selection errors happen all the time. It'll be interesting to see how Whyte goes.
given that ACFC are unbeaten since December (they lost the OCL Semi Final on away goals after 2 draws before anyone starts!) and a fair bit older and experienced, its probably not the best game to use for comparison.
I've seen Whyte play a fair bit over the last couple of years and always thought he was one of the brighter prospects - if he had stayed I would have expected him to be on the bench for the big nix in a few games
I suspect that many of these overseas clubs [if not all] have superior talent spotting ability than those closer to home. I suppose I'm talking about the Nix here really, we have often bemoaned that even Aussie clubs are giving youngsters more of a chance in the A League than our own club. Another thing to consider too is that an overseas gig, no matter what the level is attractive to young players. There are plenty of recent NZ examples of young players that have made some kind of living playing in various leagues around the world. To some, the measure of success is not playing for the Phoenix but actually making a half decent living and playing around the world.
No need to send a scout to OFC - the match videos are still online, though Whyte was rested for the must-win games. Hat trick vs Tonga (14-0).
Wonder if Rio Ave viewed them? Or maybe they thought if Boyd is good, maybe all Kiwis are.
Think Boyd showed far more promise at the same age, in his few appearances for the Nix.
Agree with other posters too - good luck to him (though he has maybe had plenty already), there's still time to develop, and most of all, making a living playing football in Europe is pretty sweet.
Maybe we're just a whole lot better than we think we are
Maybe we're just a whole lot better than we think we are
On the other hand, European clubs can take a lot more shots in the dark (especially if the player in question has a EU passport). Bigger squads, unfettered by slaray cap, multiple loan options all mean that the clubs can be more aggressive in the youth player market in the hope they hit one or two home runs that can help both results-wise, and can potentially be sold for decent profit.
Not saying that I know anything about this particular situation, just that the environment that the Phoenix operates in is quite different to that of the European clubs.
I think we are getting better. The reality is technically, NZ players are light years ahead of where we use to be compated to 20 years ago... and I thnk this is beginning to be seen by the number of players get a crack.
The reality is, professional clubs have always been willing to take gambles on players - just previously, very few thought kiwis were worth it. That seems to be changing when you look at this and the number of players in Holland.
Maybe we're just a whole lot better than we think we are
On the other hand, European clubs can take a lot more shots in the dark (especially if the player in question has a EU passport). Bigger squads, unfettered by slaray cap, multiple loan options all mean that the clubs can be more aggressive in the youth player market in the hope they hit one or two home runs that can help both results-wise, and can potentially be sold for decent profit.
Not saying that I know anything about this particular situation, just that the environment that the Phoenix operates in is quite different to that of the European clubs.
I think to a degree you are right, but you are not ever going to convince me that there's not adequate provision for a few young kiwi "gambles" in a 25 man, salary-capped squad
Little bit of shots fired at Rudan's regime here from Whyte.
Sounds like a fragmented and less than ideal trial process and despite this he has still snared a contract at a very good club. Well done to him.
Little bit of shots fired at Rudan's regime here from Whyte.
I don't see any issues/shots here.
As others have said, Euro clubs can afford to cast their nets far and wide and as he says here the Nix is focusing on not winning the wooden spoon. He may go on to have a great pro/AW career or end up back here as so many kiwis do.
Best of luck Ollie, just please don't turn your back on the AWs.
That article is a good looking glass into the type of thought process these young guys are going through in evaluating where they are and what opportunities they see for themselves. What he has done seems very reasonable for his situation. Its like employment in the real world, young people are looking for advancement and more often that not, the employer takes them for granted [not in an evil way, but being more focused on others rather than who they already have] and that lack of communication makes these youngsters actively seek opportunities elsewhere. Sometimes we forget to look after who we have, its more than getting on the field for 1 or 2 games its talking to them about development, plans for them in the future etc..
That article is a good looking glass into the type of thought process these young guys are going through in evaluating where they are and what opportunities they see for themselves. What he has done seems very reasonable for his situation. Its like employment in the real world, young people are looking for advancement and more often that not, the employer takes them for granted [not in an evil way, but being more focused on others rather than who they already have] and that lack of communication makes these youngsters actively seek opportunities elsewhere. Sometimes we forget to look after who we have, its more than getting on the field for 1 or 2 games its talking to them about development, plans for them in the future etc..
And the nix is likely to be more interesting on the back of a good season for us, Singh and Rufer.
Fellow NZer David Yoo seemingly signed for Rio Ave at the same time, he's 18:
https://www.ogol.com.br/player.php?id=681477&epoca_id=0
never heard of him.
ex Eastern Suburbs NYC.
PLAYER NEWS | Team Wellington sign New Zealand age group International, Ollie Whyte!
— Team Wellington (@TeamWelly) October 23, 2019
Welcome back to the Capital, @ollie_whyte ?
We’re excited to have you part of the team ahead of the #ISPSHandaPrem
Read more here ?? https://t.co/qDYWOM0Qy0#teedubs ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/WFAR8SbFOI
Heading to the States according to commentary in the TeeDubs game.
Signed for Istanbulspor in Turkey's first division (second tier). Four year deal from what I understand.
The signing of young Kiwis just keeps on coming. He's an attacking mid?
I guess straight away comes into contention for the Euro AWs.
İstanbulspor finished 12th out of 18 teams last season in Turkish 2nd tier (1. Lig).
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/turkey/istanbulspor...
New season has started this weekend.
https://twitter.com/istanbulspor/status/1304415676...
"A (5-year) agreement was reached with professional football player, Oliver Whyte until the end of the 2024-2025 season."
Great city Istanbul. Though under Erdoğan, Turkey likely ain't as much fun as when I visited 22 years ago. If you like a bit of history there is a good series about the fall of Constantinople on Netflix called 'Ottman'.
The signing of young Kiwis just keeps on coming. He's an attacking mid?
Central midfielder who does quite a bit of disruptive/defensive work in there.
Is this move a surprise for those who have seen him in Handy Prem?
The signing of young Kiwis just keeps on coming. He's an attacking mid?
Central midfielder who does quite a bit of disruptive/defensive work in there.
Teşekkür ederim.
So goes straight into contention for Hay's Euro AWs, if Joe Bell is unavailable due to Norway's current Covid quarantine rules.
Is this move a surprise for those who have seen him in Handy Prem?
I’ve only seen him in Central League but he was amazing at that level
