Eight
Member
He was a New Zealander up until this recent switch so I’m not sure. I only know he has been in the Portuguese league for a bit, which is a good place to develop skills according to some, and is now in Turkey.
You and others have actually seen more of him than I have, Moose, since I keep missing the games sadly. No idea as to if he developed more within New Zealand youth levels or due to the Portuguese play time.
Edit: I’m assuming perhaps more the Portuguese and Turkish playtime as that obviously helps, I just have zero idea how New Zealand identities and develops its talent.
i can't imagine there aren't 5M people in new zealand so if you have plus athletic ability on the pitch i would imagine you get noticed fairly fast.
in regards to how they develop talent, not sure, but he did start playing fairly early for a couple of pro sides in new zealand and if they handle training for soccer similar to the way other countries treat developing skills in say basketball it would make sense