Other Kiwis in European lower leagues

Anyone know if former Chch kid Josh Cremen is still playing in the Netherlands? Last I heard he was at Hoensbroek (2nd or 3rd tier amateur league).

I live a few km's from Hoensbroek. Can confirm he still is playing for EHC/Heuts in Hoensbroek. They are currently in the relegation zone.. playing 2nd tier of amateur league. 

KF
"Kow Eff"?

Yeah, let's go with that.

Former Chch junior, Bryce McMillen playing in the reserves I think at KFC Oosterzonen in Belgium. Pretty sure it's amateur; no idea how Belgian league pyramid works.

Looks like top team plays in First Amateur Division or 3rd tier in Belgium

http://au.soccerway.com/teams/belgium/kfc-oosterzonen-oosterwijk/13483/

Niko Kirwan appears to be on trial at AC Mestre who play in Serie C 

Translated this (well google did) from their official web page

Stefano Serena is on the field and in a break time she will not miss her greeting to the whole team, one by one, giving the "welcome to Mestre" to all the new ones, including blond Niko Kirwan, son of 'Ex All Blaks and ct of the John Rugby National Team.He, a midfielder player, has just finished the league in New Zealand and will now try our shirt for a couple of weeks, who knows ...

There is a video of them training yesterday on their facebook page (including Kirwan) they had a few fans turn up and they were letting off flares and singing and its only pre-season training!

Niko would probably have a EU passport, his mum being Italian. I presume Italy lets it's citizens have dual passports?

Following in footsteps of Steven Old, who's dad Geoff Old was also an All Black, and at one time coached Netherlands national rugby team.

From what I can see AC Mestre got promoted out of Serie D last season, of which there are 10 groups nationwide! 

There are still 3 regional groups in Serie C (total 58 teams) so don't imagine overall standard would be hugely high.

He may of been born in Italy, I think JK was playing/coaching there when they met

Italy definitely lets you have double citizenship. Source: I have both Italian and NZ citizenship.

I remember reading in a TW press release that Niko considers himself Italian - but in any case he qualifies through his mother.

I also remember reading that he wanted to play at Serie B level. Having a EU passport will definitely help him as the Italian FA is getting more and more strict and forces teams to recrute local players first.

This being said, don't know much about Mestre other than it is the place everyone stays at when visiting Venice (much cheaper and a 10 min train ride to Venice).

The problem with Serie C is that so many teams get relegated or go bust each year due to financial issues - Italy is really backwards in terms of allocation of funds and basically the vast majority of money goes to the top Serie A teams while the hundreds of other football teams in the country struggle with financial problems.

I hope something comes out of his trial - if he gets picked up by any Italian team I'd be happy to read news reports and provide updates for the forum.

This reminds of being in Mestre a few years back - asked the lady at the place we were staying how to get the bus to Venice, she said 'turn right, go through the street with no name, and the bus terminal is on the left'. Still cracks me up.

Erik Panzer has signed with Nordvärmlands FF, Division 2 Norra Götaland which is the fourth tier of Swedish football.

https://twitter.com/epanzer_NZ/status/888835677508567040

I also stayed in the worst hotel on this earth in Mestre - an absolute shark-hole!

Anyway, he is there to play football, not stay in hotels and see the sights!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/domestic/95...

Might be worthy of his own thread now has a pro gig?

In reality how good is this gig?

Any worse then German pub or Scandinavian lower league football, where players have threads, I personally don't think so.

Agree Serie C doesn't seem the greatest level, and young Kirwan probably only got a contract because we presume he has an Italian passport. However there are others on here playing at a lower level, with their own thread. Hope he is goes well.

I agree with what you said, but Serie C is also where a lot of really good players go on loan from Serie A teams so the level can be very good (less so in lower table teams). Also, the league is a massive shop window so you never know. A ton of famous players, Italian or foreign, have started there (or well below that level) and went on to do great things.

how is Andrew Blake's trial going?

opps didn't mean to this this

but last I heard he played the full 90 in a friendly for a Hibs XI against non-league Selkirk and it was a 0-0 draw. The Hibs XI is basically a mix of youth team and reserve players. Hibs have actually started their season and are playing in the league cup (which now has group stages) don't think he's been anywhere near the 1st team

New article on main page about Niko Kirwan says he went to Italy as a young child and spent 10 years there only to return to NZ as a teenager - also mother is Italian so he is definitely a domestic player.

From the club's FB page (https://www.facebook.com/acmestre/photos/pcb.18812... it appears Niko has already started and played 45' in a friendly against Cittadella (from Serie B). No specific mention about Niko other than in the formation.

Found another article (https://www.facebook.com/acmestre/photos/a.1601809... in which Kirwan is unveiled as a Mestre player. He basically says he worked hard and was very happy when he was offered his first pro-deal following two friendly games for the club.

Dylan Burns has signed with Hudiksvalls FF, who play in the Sewdish division 2 (4th Tier)

Congratulations to @Dylan_burns97 who has signed with @HudiksvallsFF in Sweden!#DBur https://t.co/chttuc5yQo

— NZFootballers OS (@NZFootballersOS) August 18, 2017

Andrew Blake signed for hibs's development squad

http://www.hibernian-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/hibs_sign...

Scottish Premiership is not a European lower league.

He's in their development squad. THat is certainly lower leagues. 

Good point!

Hopefully he goes well, if he does it's the sort of club there'll be chances to break into main squad. Was on trial for a fair while so must have showed something they like. 

He must be in with a chance, why sign a 21 year old otherwise... its not like he's a youth.

Niko Kirwan started and played 90' in AC Mestre's 1st game of the season - a 1-1 draw vs Teramo (who equalized in the 94th minute for the record).

To be starting for a Serie C club is no mean feat, coming straight from the Handa Prem in my opinion. Hopefully he can establish himself as a regular starter for the club.

Andrew Blake has gone on loan to Edinburgh City until January

Good luck to Andrew Blake, who joins @EdinburghCityFC on a development loan until January. pic.twitter.com/m2yNkIOgok

— Hibernian FC (@HibsOfficial) August 31, 2017

Clearly they want him getting minutes with a view to playing him later in the season... wishful thinking?

Another 90' for Kirwan in AC Mestre's first win of the season (1-3 at Bergamo against Albinoleffe), with Mestre scoring three unanswered goals in the second half.

According to this, Niko played as one of three CBs - but don't know how accurate that is. Mestre are now third after two games.

Obviously want him fit but the level is no better then Northern League footie.

Would great for him and the side to do well and gain promotion.  Nikko could become a decent player in the future.

And he's more likely to grow as a footballer in Italy. Not disrespecting NZ, but he's more likely to be playing with old pros or young prospects and be part of a football culture there