The player stocks at Wellington Phoenix FC have
been further strengthened with the signing of New Zealand
international Tony Lochhead today.
Lochhead, 25, has signed on with
Phoenix for two years, bringing the New Zealand contingent at the
Hyundai A-League club to six following the earlier signings of
fellow internationals Mark Paston, Glen Moss, Tim Brown,
Steven Old and national under-17 player Costa Barbarouses.
Lochhead's signature brings to 12 the number of players signed to Phoenix.
In 2006 Lochhead played 16 MLS games for New England Revolution in the United States football competition - starting nine - his first full season with Revolution. He was originally drafted by the club in the third round of the 2005 MLS draft and was released earlier this year.
Phoenix FC coach Ricki Herbert said Lochhead would add significant value to the club.
"It's great to get the services of a national team player," Herbert said.
"He has come through the ranks - under-17, Olympics and now with the senior team."
"New England is one of the more prominent MLS clubs but the opportunity of more game time at Phoenix will be fantastic for him in terms of his development."
Lochhead has yet to play in the Hyundai A-League but Herbert expects him to slot in well.
"He has all the attributes necessary to play in the A-League. He understands the enormity of him needing to do well and I'm sure he will step up."
Lochhead's signature brings to 12 the number of players signed to Phoenix.
In 2006 Lochhead played 16 MLS games for New England Revolution in the United States football competition - starting nine - his first full season with Revolution. He was originally drafted by the club in the third round of the 2005 MLS draft and was released earlier this year.
Phoenix FC coach Ricki Herbert said Lochhead would add significant value to the club.
"It's great to get the services of a national team player," Herbert said.
"He has come through the ranks - under-17, Olympics and now with the senior team."
"New England is one of the more prominent MLS clubs but the opportunity of more game time at Phoenix will be fantastic for him in terms of his development."
Lochhead has yet to play in the Hyundai A-League but Herbert expects him to slot in well.
"He has all the attributes necessary to play in the A-League. He understands the enormity of him needing to do well and I'm sure he will step up."
Founder
yes about time that it happened it makes our defence sound a lot
safer still we need lots more defenders
How good is this guy?
The reason I ask is that since the departures of Ceccoli and Heffernan the HAL is seriously devoid of any quality left-backs (and fullbacks altogether really). Could he be the best in the comp?
The reason I ask is that since the departures of Ceccoli and Heffernan the HAL is seriously devoid of any quality left-backs (and fullbacks altogether really). Could he be the best in the comp?
he has potential it depends lazaridas tiatto but lochhead being
young could be one of the best
he's certainly not makeshift unlike many of the other left backs in
the league.
he's been at new england for a few years, and was highly
regarded there. he has been a regular with the all whites
whenever he was released by his club.
it will be interesting to see how he, and enfield at sydney,
go. mls is presumably a bit stronger that the a-league, so he
should go well.
Jaza,
He's been a starter for a competitive MLS side in the last 12 months. Other than that many of us have not seen a lot of him in recent times. Certainly as a youngster at Tauranga City he was superb.
He's been a starter for a competitive MLS side in the last 12 months. Other than that many of us have not seen a lot of him in recent times. Certainly as a youngster at Tauranga City he was superb.
ive seen a few matches wasnt in tip top shape but still good
Rumours going round that Jesse Koorey-Slow, attacking wingback for
Miramar Rangers has been forced to retire at the young age of 22
because of a long term drinking problem. Any further reports would
be handy
Great stuff Feverish. Thanks for keepinhg us updated.
Great signing as I have mentioned before. He will be a great asset to the team.
Well done!!
Great signing as I have mentioned before. He will be a great asset to the team.
Well done!!
Jaza,
He's been a starter for a competitive MLS side in the last 12 months. Other than that many of us have not seen a lot of him in recent times. Certainly as a youngster at Tauranga City he was superb.
He's been a starter for a competitive MLS side in the last 12 months. Other than that many of us have not seen a lot of him in recent times. Certainly as a youngster at Tauranga City he was superb.
Very limited research is telling me that side played 3-5-2 and he was a wingback. Interesting... Quality fullbacks in the HAL are so incredibly few and far between.
excellent signinh, him at legf back and daniel left mid.
Q : Whose got the worse hair do, Archie or Tony?
Archie by a country mile... and that is without his Goal
celebration 
yes about time that it happened it makes our defence sound a lot
safer still we need lots more defenders
Ditto.
he must be ood seeing that the new england team were runners up in
05 and 06 so if lochhead played for them and scored probably one of
the best signings as well as daniel for any club all seson unless
sydney get cocu
Nice signing.
A few more defenders would be good for your team I
think.
Lochead one of the best signings for any club u say hahaha no way.
Itll be interesting to see him play. Still a big centre back is in
demand and i say get Tambouras, then Leo in mid. We would have a
great team with them two signings.
Yeah big ups to you soulis, id love those signings too, but i think
your dreaming cousin. Leo wont come cause his contract and
Tambouras wont like the aspect and risk involved. But
lockhead...well take him.
Lochead one of the best signings for any club u say hahaha no way.
Itll be interesting to see him play. Still a big centre back is in
demand and i say get Tambouras, then Leo in mid. We would have a
great team with them two signings.
this season of course with the exceptions of keenan tiatto and
milicevic
This is a really positive signing as MLS is on par if not slightly
better than A League and he started a fair few games is young, a
NZer and a DEFENDER.
As other people have mentioned I am worried about the central
defence position as to the quality we will be left with
their.
I am a big fan of John Tambouras but I thought I read
somewhere he had signed with a foreign team, can anyone confirm
this??
Yet another nice signing.Family who are Jets fans continue to be
worried by every signing which has to be a good thing.Faark the
Aussies.
GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS
I am a big fan of John Tambouras but I thought I read
somewhere he had signed with a foreign team, can anyone confirm
this??
He signed for a Romanian side - not sure how long for though -
we could still get him as some of the Romanian clubs don't have the
best history when dealing with players from this part of the
world.
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
PROAK - your footy radio show is on Kiwi FM about now isn't it?
(members tune in!)
Founder
7:20am Feverish - website got a plug and we talked Brazilians,
Lochead and Jacobs appointment - all good.
Kiwi FM either online at www.kiwifm.co.nz or 102.2 Akl, 102.1
Welly or 102.5 Chch.
Shameless enough?!
PROAK2007-05-12 08:10:58
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
I'm gonna have to put a sticky message on the news section cos I forgot if it was 7am or 8am start and went for the latter as it meant I could sleep more. I hope you mean you talked about Brazilian 'footballers'
Founder
Haha - yeah totally!
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia