Perth fights to keep Bertos

Perth fights to keep Bertos

Perth Glory will fight hard to stop All Whites star Leo Bertos joining the new Wellington A-League franchise.

Bertos, who will be a key player when New Zealand takes on World Cup finalists Costa Rica today, has one year left on his Perth contract.

The Wellington-raised midfielder-striker told the Sunday Star-Times yesterday that he wants to play for Wellington, but will probably have to wait until 2008-09 to link with All Whites and Wellington coach Ricki Herbert and a slew of international team-mates.

Bertos, 25, who trialled with a Greek first division club at the end of last season, said Herbert has spoken to the All Whites about joining Wellington, but any contract talks will wait until they finish their two-game South American adventure.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens with Perth. As a Wellington boy I'm keen to play there but I have a year left and Perth want me back. But I started playing in Wellington and the fact it's up and running is very exciting." Perth currently has two contracted foreign players - New Zealanders Bertos and Jeremy Christie - and coach Ron Smith said the club has decided to keep their remaining two foreign positions open.

Please don't let them release Plodder...

Yeah, Christie can stay over there. He's slower than my Volkswagen Donkey which does nought to 23kph in 49 minutes.

I'm really not sure why they signed him in the first place?  He's the kind of player we need to be very careful about, i.e. don't sign just because he's a kiwi.  We need quality!

Keep Plodder!

jeez u guys are negative. christie is exactly what they need in the midfield - a tough bastard

Christie isn't tough at all. He really hasn't upskilled himself since the U17's and to be frank I really don't know why he is in the All Whites. He is the genuine plodder, slow and has a very limited amount of tricks....if any. I've seen him play plenty of times and if you are a fan of mediocrity then by all means sign him up. Any coach worth two bob would realise that he is a weak link and they will focus on him pretty quickly. He was pants in the last ever Knights game. He can stay at Perth for all I care.

Agree with the above post. Was crap, still is crap, will always be crap

Still he might make a grouse orange boy....

Do you guys like Webster would be a worthy signing as he is a free agent.

I thought Leo wanted to get out of his contract to play in Greece where he is classified as a local.

He trialled there in the last few months with Xanthi, but Perth wanted a transfer fee so he's back at Perth.