It has been a busy start to the year for Kiwi professional footballers around the globe. Catch up on all of the highlights and movements from the All Whites and Football Ferns in the first edition of Kiwis Abroad for 2019. 

Chris Wood scores at Old Trafford

All Whites striker Chris Wood played a leading role in ending Manchester United’s winning run under interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

Solskjær, who was looking to become the first manager to win his first seven EPL games in charge, was under serious pressure after Ashley Barnes and Wood had scored for Burnley for a 2-0 lead. 

Wood produced a delightful header in the 81st minute to score his fourth goal of the EPL season and his sixth across all competitions. To see the goal CLICK HERE

The hosts came back through Paul Pogba (penalty) and Victor Lindelof, who scored in injury time to salvage a point, but Wood said they were happy with a draw from the fixture at Old Trafford.

“Everybody knew how on form they were,” said Wood. “So to come here and stop them and pulling them down to a draw is a huge positive for us. We have got to fill ourselves with confidence from that. We have got to look forward now.”

Riley makes Top 10 Chelsea goals

Football Ferns skipper Ali Riley is not known for her goal scoring ability but she has made the Top 10 goals for Chelsea in the FA WSL 2018/ 19 season.  

The 31-year-old, who has scored once in her 119 A Internationals for New Zealand, produced a stunning curling strike against Tottenham Hotspur for her first goal for The Blues.

Riley will lead the Ferns in the Cup of Nations next month in Australia where the World No 19 will take on Australia, Argentina and Korea Republic

Rojas moves to Denmark, Thomas on the mend

All Whites midfielder Marco Rojas has signed a new contract with Danish Superliga club SønderjyskE.

The 27-year-old struggled for game time with Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie, but is looking forward to the new opportunity.

“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge,” he said. “I’m happy to be here at this club. It was a good option for me at this point in time. It had been a difficult period in Holland, with a lot of ups and downs, and this was a nice little fresh start and another way to hopefully produce some footballing goods and get going and get that foothold in Europe.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Thomas who suffered a knee injury just weeks after signing for the Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven from PEC Zwolle, is on the mend.

Thomas said the injury was softened by reassurances from his new manager. As he works back to full fitness the All Whites midfielder is enjoying being part of one of Europe’s leading clubs.

"Obviously PSV has won the league a few times recently, so it’s a big part of Eindhoven," he told Newshub. "But Eindhoven is nice. Compared to Zwolle it’s bigger but compared to Amsterdam and Rotterdam it’s quite small."

Wilkinson fight hard for World Cup 

Also on the mend from a knee injury is Football Ferns forward Hannah Wilkinson. 

The 26-year-old, who plays for Vittsjö GIK in Sweden, is focused on getting back to full fitness and in contention for Tom Sermanni's squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup in June.

Gulley signs with the Wellington Phoenix

All Whites fullback Justin Gulley is excited to sign with the Wellington Phoenix.  

The 26-year old, who is the former captain of Team Wellington, has already begun training with the squad in the lead up to the A-League battle against table-toppers Perth Glory this Sunday.

Gulley previously signed for Wellington Phoenix back in October 2015 after progressing through the club’s Academy structure, making eight appearances for the senior side before transferring to Team Wellington. He is looking forward to giving it another crack.

“I feel I have plenty to prove, having played here before but I really want to give my all and move on to that next level that I know I’m capable of playing at,” he said. “Having played in the FIFA Club World Cup, I know I have plenty to offer the coach and the team as I plan to return the faith shown in me. I can’t wait to get started.”

Brotherton signs with North Carolina

All Whites centre back Sam Brotherton has signed with North Carolina FC for the 2019 USL Championship season.

The former Sunderland defender’s signing is pending league and federation approval, and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa.

“Sam is an experienced international centre-back and will be an important piece to our back line defending,” said NCFC Head Coach Dave Sarachan. “Sam is excellent in the air and comfortable in distribution. More importantly he has the ability to organize and lead a backline. I look forward to having Sam play an important role for us this season.”

The 22-year-old has made 15 appearances for the All Whites, including action in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Phillips signs with Tigers

Football Ferns forward Aimee Phillips, who recently earned a recall to the national team for the upcoming Cup of Nations, has signed with the Northern Tigers FC for the 2019 season.

The 27-year-old becomes the second Football Fern to sign for the club for the new NPL campaign alongside Malia Steinmetz and is fighting hard to earn a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup squad.  

Phillips was playing for FF USV Jena in the German second division, previously playing for Cardiff Met in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and for ZFK Spartak Subotica in Serbia.

Tigers first grade co-coaches Jason Eagar and Pat O’Sullivan said “We are very pleased that a player with Aimee’s skill and experience will be playing for Tigers in 2019 and strengthens an already excellent squad that we have for the 2019 season.”

Rood on loan at Lewes FC

Football Ferns forward Katie Rood has been loaned from FA Women’s Super League club Bristol City to Lewes FC Women for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old, who joined Bristol City from Juventus last year, was looking forward to the move.

“It is obviously a club with a strong community behind it and an ethical approach, which I really value,” said Rood. “It takes strong leadership to be at the forefront of an initiative like Equality FC, so I am thrilled to be joining the club and very much looking forward to contributing to its success both on and off the field. Additionally, Fran is a coach with lots of ambition and I am looking forward to working under him and developing my game.”

Article added: Friday 01 February 2019