All Whites striker Myer Bevan has re-joined Auckland City FC from Western Springs for the forthcoming ISPS Handa Premiership season.

Released by Vancouver Whitecaps after loan spells in Sweden and the United States, Bevan returned to New Zealand this winter to re-join his first club, Western Springs, in the Lotto NRFL Premier League, in which he bagged eight goals as the Hoops finished fourth.

He returns to Kiwitea Street after a three-year absence under new head coach Jose Figueira.

"I really like working with Jose, we have a good working relationship. I’ve played for him at Auckland City in the youth team previously and did very well under him,” he says.

"I respect Jose a lot, both as a coach and as a man. As soon as he gave me the call to come to Auckland City, I wanted to work with him and grabbed the opportunity.

"I think it's going to be a good season with a new group of players coming in and especially with Jose as the coach. Auckland City is definitely the best stepping stone back to professional football in New Zealand.”
 

Myer Bevan has already starred for Auckland City in the National Youth League (Photosport)

Figueira is delighted to secure the services of the well-travelled Bevan.

"With the departure of key players in the attacking department, having someone of Myer’s quality is exciting,” he says.

"Still in the infancy of his football career and with a huge amount of potential, Myer has already experienced the highest levels of the game and these experiences will only enhance our environment.”

Bevan returns to the club a full international with six caps and two goals to his name having made his debut under former All Whites coach Anthony Hudson and adding three more caps under successor Fritz Schmid last year.

The fleet-footed frontman is eager to impress this summer with Danny Hay recently installed as the new All Whites coach and Auckland entering an exciting new era under Figueira.

"Myer will bring the team attacking flexibility with the ball along with high energy and work ethic without the ball. He has the qualities to play a variety of positional roles in the attacking line which will allow him to fit straight into the way we want to play,” Figueira says.

"Off the pitch, Myer has an infectious personality, which is underpinned by someone who is really focused on further developing his game.”

Bevan is currently in camp with the New Zealand U-23 side as they prepare to head off to Fiji for the OFC Olympic Games qualifiers.

Story courtesy of Auckland City FC

Article added: Monday 16 September 2019