Flying Kiwis – July 1
Emma Pijnenburg – Hera United (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
You won’t be seeing Emma Pijnenburg in a Wellington Phoenix jersey next season because she’s heading back to the Netherlands. She already spent a couple years with Feyenoord before joining the Nix as an injury replacement when CJ Bott’s pregnancy ruled her out for the season. Pretty quickly earned first eleven status in the Wellington midfield, something she never managed with Feyenoord, and helped the Nix take it all the way to the grand final. Now it’s back to Europe, having signed a one-year contract with Hera United.
This isn’t quite picking up where she left off. Pijnenburg returns to Dutch footy as an improved player with a deeper resume – including 10 caps for the Football Ferns – but the club she’s joining just got relegated from the Eredivisie. Hera United finished third-to-last then lost a playoff with De Graafschap so the job will be to get back into the top flight at the first attempt. Hera United (named after the Greek goddess, which is also why they have a peacock on their logo) used to be known as Telstar until new ownership bought out the licence last season, completely rebranded the team, and moved them to Amsterdam. That means they got relegated in their first season... but you can also see why there’s excitement around the club. Hera Utd is the only professional club in the Dutch pyramid without a men’s team.
Hera United technical director Mark Coonen: “In a short space of time, Emma has shown on two continents that she adapts effortlessly to different styles of play. She brings the technical foundations and resilience we were looking for, along with her international experience. With Emma in the squad, we strengthen the heart of our midfield.”
Emma Pijnenburg: “I was born in Amsterdam and it has always held a special place for me. But above all, I’m choosing Hera because I want to help build something that matters here. I can see what this club is trying to create and I want to be part of it. I’m really excited about what we can achieve together!”
Half of the teams in the second tier are reserve teams for the top sides. Young Ajax and Young PSV tend to dominate proceedings, harkening back to when this was an U23s league a few years ago – come to think of it, EP has probably already played in this division with Jong Feyenoord (before they dropped down to the third division). The youth teams are ineligible for promotion, although promotion doesn’t just get passed down – you have to win it to earn it, so there’s no promotion/relegation if a youth team takes the title. The Eerste Divisie (First Division) is split into two seasons: Spring and Autumn, with home and away games against each team (so, 14 games in Spring, 14 games in Autumn) and there’s a playoff between the two champs, if necessary, to see who wins it. Last year De Graafschaap beat Jong Ajax 2-1 for the title. It’s a risk for Pijnenburg going to a second tier club in a World Cup year, considering how much competition there is for midfield selection in the Football Ferns, but that all depends on how she goes.
Up Next: New season should start around September
Rebecca Lake - Thai Nguyen T&T (Vietnamese National League)
It was tough yakka for Thai Nguyen having to rally from 1-0 and 2-1 down before finally getting that first win on the board in the Vietnamese National League. They’d been held to a draw in week one and Than KSVN gave them some serious worries in this second fixture, even after going two goals up thanks to Rebecca Lake’s first goal for the club they still pulled one back for a squeaky 4-3 finish. But a win is a win and Thai Nguyen T&T needed that to get their league season rolling.
Lake did almost score during the cup stuff a few weeks back. It was on her debut for the club, coincidentally on her 27th birthday, and she got up high for a header from a corner with a few minutes to go. Very similar to this one except a bit further out and there was a failed clearance in the six yard box that caused it to go down as an own goal. This time there’s no doubt whatsoever. And given that Lake stands pretty comfortably taller than basically anyone else on the field whenever she’s out there (Lake is listed as 1.73cm/5’8 so there are several current Football Ferns taller than her), there’s no reason they shouldn’t be aiming for her every time they win a set piece. Could be their not-so-secret weapon as the team tries to mount a title challenge.
Up Next: Away to Hà Nội II at 9pm on Saturday, the same team that the Tea Tigers won 8-0 against in Lake’s debut during the Vietnamese Cup (NZT)
Troy Putt - Minnesota United 2 (American MLS Next Pro)
Troy Putt was an unknown quantity when he turned up in the Minnesota United system last year, Arrived from Auckland’s North Shore and had to make a name for himself from scratch. The U20 World Cup would have helped his cause although apparently not that much because he was mostly used as a right-back by the MNUFC2 squad in the Next Pro league that season. So this year he came in ready and motivated and trained the house down during preseason, earning an MLS debut in the opening round before settling back into the Next Pro stuff... a very different perspective to be bringing to the party. Year one he was a stranger. Year two he’s a senior professional.
He’s still occasionally filled in at right-back or right wing-back when required, however Putt has been used much more often as an attacker for the reserves in 2026. Usually on the wing which is probably where he forecasts at the higher levels (at least that’s how Minnesota United used him in his brief cameo on debut)... though this week they unleashed him as a striker in a match-up with Codey Phoenix and Tacoma Defiance. Lone man up top, there to run around and hustle the defence. Meanwhile, Phoenix had his usual spot at left-back for Tacoma... Phoenix captained the Auckland FC Reserves last year and Putt was due to join him in that team until this Minnesota United offer trumped the AFC one and he headed Stateside instead.
One thing about Putt is that he’s lightning fast. Another thing is that if you play him at striker, he’s not just going to hang off the last man. He’s going to press hard, he’s going to drop deep looking for touches, he’s going to get wide if the space is there. But apparently he’s also got striker’s instincts for hunting down goals because would you look at this...
Deceptively sharp finish, that. Two goals in his last three games. Almost set up another one moments later but his bro’s shot came back off the post. Tacoma Defiance fought back from a goal down to be leading 2-1 down the stretch when Minnesota chucked on a 14-year-old local (he turns 15 in two weeks), Jose Orta Ruiz, who scored on debut in the 88th min for a 2-2 draw. MLS Next Pro is allergic to draws so they had the usual bonus point penalty shootout afterwards and Troy Putt scored his attempt as the Mini-Loons won the pens 4-1. Phoenix also played a full game but he didn’t take a penalty.
Up Next: Houston 2 vs Minnesota 2 on Monday at 11am (NZT)
Thomas Raimbault - Carolina Core (American MLS Next Pro)
Not to be outdone by ol’ Putty over there, Thomas Raimbault also got himself on an MLS Next Pro scoreboard. His goal was the winner as Carolina Core won 1-0 against Huntsville City, whacking that sucker home at the second attempt. That’s his second goal this year to go with four assists... and it snaps a run of nine games without a goal contribution for the attacking midfielder. He was unstoppable in April so good to see him back on the horse. Also, that win was a rare thing for Carolina, only their third in 17 matches this season.
Up Next: Away to Connecticut United at 9am on Monday (NZT)
Meikayla Moore & Tilly James – Calgary Wild (Canadian Northern Super League)
In the last three games we’ve finally seen Meikayla Moore fit enough to return to the starting line-up for Calgary Wild, her first three starts after dealing with pesky ongoing injuries that date back at least to the Football Ferns World Cup qualifying final earlier this year. Ruled her out of the last Ferns tour. Caused her to miss two games and play off the bench three times to begin the NSL season. Her compatriot Tilly James had to slide into the middle of defence to cover for her during that absence... and while James did an adequate job personally, the patched up backline really struggled without Mouse.
They still haven’t won a game after eight attempts but a 2-0 loss to Halifax Tides in Moore’s return to the starting line-up (as captain) did feel like an improvement and that was definitely the case for the 1-1 draw away to Montreal Roses and the narrow 1-0 defeat to Halifax in a home rematch that followed. Almost broke the duck there in that last game except Calgary missed a couple of major chances before Saorla Miller scored an 81st minute winner for Halifax after, nodding home after a teammates shot had rebounded off the crossbar in her direction. Bugger.
As such they’re dead last on the ladder... but they’ve been way more competitive these last three games. And while the Wild do also have a very big problem with scoring goals, only five in their first eight games, at least the defence has found its solution.
Calgary Wild with Meikayla Moore on the pitch:
292 minutes | 3 GF | 6 GA | Conceding every 48.6 mins
Calgary Wild without Meikayla Moore on the pitch:
428 mins | 2 GF | 15 GA | Conceding every 28.5 mins
It also helps that Tilly James has now been able to line up at left-back where she’s a bit more of a natural and can get involved in the attack as well. Couple of excellent tackles from TJ in those highlights. James has started all eight games and only been subbed twice. It’s not as obvious when the team is struggling but she’s putting together a pretty decent season after missing most of her first pro campaign last year due to a long-term knee injury.
Up Next: Ottawa vs Calgary, first vs last, on Monday at 6am (NZT)
Hannah Blake & Michaela Foster – Durham FC (English Super League 2)
Durham have found some new investment and saved the club but Hannah Blake won’t be around for whatever follows. She’s said her farewells to the club after two years in blue. The club itself hasn’t mentioned this yet so perhaps it was Blakey’s call and she’s got something else lined up. No word on what Mickey Foster’s up to, she’s been too busy getting married.
This means we can add Hannah Blake to a list of Football Ferns searching for new clubs, one year out from a World Cup, that also includes Indi Riley, Katie Bowen, and Kate Taylor. So far Taylor has only strongly hinted that she’ll be looking elsewhere due to the club’s financial troubles but let’s be honest there wasn’t much reason to stick around when the Dijon bosses have already said they’ll prioritise the men’s team and sell the women’s team if nothing changes. Well, something’s changed... the women’s team has just been kicked out of Ligue 1 for next season after failing to impress the league governance with their future budgeting. Basically, they’re too unstable to compete. Dijon can appeal the decision but why would Kate Taylor hang around for any of that? A few of her Dijon teammates have already signed with other Ligue 1 clubs like Strasbourg and Nantes. Nadia Krezyman has joined Brighton in the English WSL. No reason Kate Taylor why can’t also land another deal among Europe’s finest.
Up Next: We shall see
Jesse Randall - Dundee United (Scottish Premiership)
Today’s date is 1 July and that’s an important day in the world of professional football because most contracts are written up until 30 June. That means today is the day that free agents officially become free agents... and in Jesse Randall’s case, the day that an Auckland FC player officially became a Dundee United player. In more practical terms, preseason has already begun for DUFC but Randall, as a World Cup rep, will probably get another week or two off before he links up with the squad.
He’ll have some familiar accents around him when he does since Aussies Lachlan Rose (Newcastle Jets) and Josh Rawlins (Melbourne Victory) are also joining Dundee United, while Zac Sapsford (Western Sydney Wanderers) joined the club a year ago... and had a pretty good season scoring nine goals in 38 Premiership appearances. Dundee United finish seventh last season as the best of the bottom half:10 wins, 15 draws, 13 defeats. They’re coached by Jim Goodwin who once signed Alex Greive for St Mirren so if he loves hard working forwards from Aotearoa who create goals as much as they score them... then he should rate this one.
This is a huge move for Randall off the back of his breakthrough A-League season and a significant one for the All Whites too as we try to get as many of our best players in the strongest clubs situations possible. It’ll probably get lost in the excitement of what’s to come (more on that in the last segment) but this is a big, ambitious jump from Randall. That’s what we wanna see.
Up Next: The Scottish League Cup group stage begins for Dundee Utd away to Stirling Albion on Saturday 12 July at 4.30am (NZT)
Oliver Colloty - Elgin City (Scottish League Two)
Meanwhile down a couple divisions in Scotland, look who’s baaaack...
A two-year contract too. Colloty spent a few months on loan with Elgin City last season when he was seeking game time after being stuck on the bench at Peterhead in the third tier. Sadly, a back injury ended his season prematurely so the loan was cut short and he returned to Aotearoa to recuperate. Peterhead opted not to extend his expiring contract and that could have been that for his time in Scotland... except that Elgin City really liked what they saw and now that he’s healthy again they want to do it properly. He’s one of three recent signings who previously spent time on loan with the club (defenders Evan Towler and Morgyn Neill being the others). OC has already started a couple of preseason friendlies for the club so he’s fully fit, nothing to worry about there.
Elgin City manager Stefan Laird: “We are delighted Olly has joined the club on a permanent basis after excelling on loan last season. Olly has made a huge commitment to club, moving back across from New Zealand to commit to Elgin City, such is his desire to represent the city, fans and club. Olly hit his stride last season before injury ended his stay prematurely. Now returning to full fitness, we will see the best of Olly and we are confident he can replicate the big reputation he deservedly has in his home country. This represents a great addition as we now look to add further to our attacking unit moving into the new season”
Up Next: Bang some goals in and try get Elgin City promoted
Marco Lorenz - Gainare Tottori (Japanese J3 League)
Here’s a nice progressive move. Marco Lorenz has worn a lot of jerseys for a 22-year-old. Spent some time in the Wellington Phoenix Academy, also played National League for Tasman United, Wellington Olympic, Western Springs, Auckland City, and Auckland United. Had a quick stint in the German lower leagues with BSV Rehden. And since September he’s been playing for Eastern in the Hong Kong Premier League, embracing a bit of family lineage by living in his grandmother’s hometown.
Not sure how to compare the Hong Kong league to other spots around the world but he played a lot which is always a good start. 18 games in the league (with three assists) as well as another 10 across various other competitions. That includes six appearances in the AFC Champions League 2. That’s the second tier AFC club competition (the one above where Moses Dyer was scoring goals in the same season) and although Eastern lost all six matches, some of them by very hefty margins, Lorenz got big minutes up against Ratchaburi FC (Thailand), Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC (Vietnam), and Gamba Osaka (Japan).
It’s that last one that stands out because Lorenz is going to be playing in Japan next season. He’s signed with Gainare Tottori in the J3 League. Good move that gets him into a division with a bit of upward mobility. Gainare Tottori’s team-name is a Japanese-Italian hybrid that translates to something like “great hope/hoping” and that seems appropriate for a club that has been stuck in the third tier for 13 years... but in last year’s 100 Year Vision League (a sort of hybrid shorter season that combined the second and third tiers, ostensibly so that they could shift the league calendar from a February to November season to an August to May season in line with most European leagues), they finished sixth out of ten teams in their conference and then won a couple classification games (both against J3 teams) to earn a final placing of 21st out of 40 teams. Better than at least a couple of J2 sides, albeit not the best of the third tier teams. Michael Fitzgerald’s Albirex Niigata placed seventh as a tier two club.
Promotion from J3 is contingent on getting a licence and while that shouldn’t be an issue, note that Gainare Tottori were responsible for the smallest home crowd in the 100 Year Vision League (1,060 in a 3-2 win over Reilac Shiga back in May). The revamped J3 league has expanded to 20 teams so it’s a full 38-game home and away season. Lots of games for Lorenz.
Marco Lorenz: “I'm grateful to be joining Gainare Tottori. The club means a lot to this region and I'm looking forward to contributing on the field. I'm excited to get started, meet the staff and my new teammates, and make the most of this opportunity.”
Up Next: Preseason with the new teammates
Elijah Just – Motherwell (Scottish Premiership)
Alfred Johansson: “I haven't caught up with Elijah yet. I think it's fair to him to be able to be in America and focus on the national team now. I've focused more on the guys that are actually here and had good talks with them. He's a good player and he's a Motherwell player. I think there's always going to be rumours and links. I guess that there will be questions about that pretty often, especially when the window is open. It's going to be a big thing, players getting linked right, left and centre. It's a part of the expectation so I don't focus too much about it.”
That was the new Motherwell coach when asked about Eli Just’s situation. Johansson’s been hired to replace Jens Berthel Askou who has taken up the gig at Toulouse in France, the Steelmen going Scandinavian for Scandinavian with their coaching appointments. Johansson seems like a really exciting young manager... but will Eli Just even get to play for him? Frankly, that’s doubtful. He was already looking likely to be prised away before he went and scored three goals at the World Cup where he was New Zealand’s top performer. Now it’s possible that even Celtic and Rangers might get squeezed out of any bidding war. Just has said all along that he wanted to park any questions about his club future until after the World Cup, giving his agent the big Do Not Disturb sign. Now that’s done and we’ll see how quickly things move.
The Celtic and Rangers stuff has been around since January. They were the first two teams on the list – and bear in mind that a Celtic move would come with Champions League possibilities. The other team we’ve gotta automatically consider is Toulouse since he’s already played under Jens Berthel Askou at Horsen and Motherwell plus JBA tried to sign him at Göteborg as well. Toulouse don’t have European footy next season like Motherwell do but they’re a very solid mid-table Ligue 1 club. Like, imagine playing against two-time reigning Champions League title holders Paris Saint-Germain a couple times per year. Southampton, in the English second tier, was specifically linked last week (albeit via a source of sceptical legitimacy). Internet aggregators have thrown a few other names out, while the NZ Herald have offered a far more credible scoop: “there has already been interest expressed from top clubs in France, while he is being tracked by a number of British teams”.
Similar things are being said about Finn Surman, by the way. This comes from reporters on the ground and around the All Whites camp during the World Cup so it’s info worth paying attention to:
“The Herald understands that big clubs from the top five leagues in Europe are tracking Surman, along with outfits in the Championship, the second tier of English football. The top five competitions are the English Premier League, La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), Bundesliga (Germany) and France (Ligue 1). It’s believed that one of the largest teams in France are among the potential suitors, while Premier League teams are also monitoring the Christchurch product.”
Gotta stress that World Cup performances help but both Just and Surman would have already been on the radars of any club willing to bid for them based on what they’d already been doing for their clubs. Those scouting networks are very sophisticated. The World Cup may have helped confirm some suspicions about their abilities to deliver at the top level but no club in the realms that we’re talking about here would have ‘discovered’ them via that tournament. Combining their ages, their club form, their World Cup efforts, and especially their playing profiles... Just and Surman are the two blokes who have the most potential to scoop up the best possible moves in the next few weeks/months.
But they’re not alone. Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh, and maybe even Joe Bell (though he’s pretty settled where he is as a Norwegian champion) are primed for moves. Matt Garbett too, even though he wasn’t able to feature at the World Cup. Tim Payne (Olimpia) and Jesse Randall (Dundee United) have already gotten moves. Marko Stamenić, Liberato Cacace, Ben Old, and Max Crocombe made theirs within the past two years. Alex Paulsen and Tyler Bindon are contracted to Premier League clubs though may be looking at further loan moves before they get a crack at the big time. It’s not wishful thinking to say we should see plenty of exciting movement between now and the closing of the European transfer windows.
Just quickly on McCowatt, Silkeborg rejected offers from overseas (including Minnesota United) back in January, when their sports manager told media that he was too important to their relegation battle... but also that they wanted to wait until after the World Cup to sell him when they could demand a higher fee: “There is also an expectation that he will play for New Zealand at the World Cup this summer, so if his value is going to rise through that then it is also better to wait until the World Cup is played.”
Since then Tonni Adamsen (Rapid Vienna) and Nicolai Larsen (Vejle) have both left the club. Adamsen and McCowatt carried this team with their goals throughout a difficult season while goalkeeper Larsen was equally valuable at times. You’d imagine when they’ve already lost a couple key players they’d want to keep McCowatt but the thing about that is those two both left for frees. McCowatt, in contrast, would command a transfer fee. Silkeborg are a seller club and McCowatt is their top player asset. Club director Kent Madsen was asked about CM’s situation a couple days ago and this is what he said: “I'll be delighted if he's still here when the window closes, but it remains to be seen.”
And a bit on Matt Garbett too, whose Peterborough chairman has a habit of sinking a few brews and responding to fans on social media. A few months ago he revealed that Posh had rejected a £1.7m bid for Garbs from a rival League One club in January. It was expected he’d probably be sold this offseason if the price was right in order for Peterborough to reinvest that money into their squad... but with the injury that Garbett sustained at the World Cup it now doesn’t look like he’ll be able to pass a medical until after the transfer window closes on 1 September. So it’ll be Peterborough for at least another six months then. Most likely. You never know with these things.
Up Next: Lots of busy agents, none more than Eli Just’s
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