South African-born football sensation Ryan de Vries is now eligible to play for the New Zealand national team. He relishes the prospects of representing the All Whites in an official Fifa World Cup showpiece.
The 24-year-old left winger who joined Auckland City in 2013 was voted Players’ Player in 2015 and is a top goalscorer. The prolific striker represented his side (Oceania Confederation) in two Club World Cup tournaments in Morocco and Japan where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Barcelona kingpin Lionel Messi and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
He’s also contemplating entering the Barclays Premier League.
Since he joined Auckland City, they’ve won two New Zealand National League and two Oceania titles. De Vries’ dream debut for the All Whites came in 2015 when he was called up to represent New Zealand in a friendly against South Korea. In doing so he became the first coloured South African to play for the New Zealand national team. His mentor is his father, Keith Senior.
An elated Ryan said: ‘I was born in South Africa in 1991 and immigrated to New Zealand in 2008 and on the playing field mesmerized both the spectators and national selectors and earned my position in the national team.
‘The cherry on the cake will without a doubt be to cement my name on the centre stage against the best in a Fifa World Cup and showcase my immense talent.’
AUDIO | Ryan DE VRIES "@ASBPremiership title is great" http://t.co/TvTN0bYudm #NavyBlue wins his 6th title in a row! pic.twitter.com/yZ9UF5c6ND
— 🇳🇿 Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) April 5, 2015
He’s also contemplating entering the Barclays Premier League to emulate stellar performances by South African players like Lucas Radebe (Leeds United defender), Quinton Fortune (Manchester United), Steven Pienaar (Everton, midfielder) and Benni McCarthy (West Ham) who all left a lasting impression.
He’s the new kid on the block.
De Vries is clinical when shooting. His ability to weave his way through his opponent’s defence, dribbling skills and tendency to get the ball in the back of the net with ease are some of his strongest qualities. He’s the new kid on the block and could be the missing link and the X-factor Barclays Premier League coaches are desperately looking for.
On his arrival in New Zealand in 2008 he attended Glenfield College until 2010 and represented the College First X1 football team where he won numerous awards. He has also played for Nasinu Soccer Club affiliated to the New Zealand Fiji Football Association where he scooped the top goalscorer award and voted the MVP in The BOG (Battle of the Giants) tournament played in Auckland.
During the winter seasons from 2010 to 2015, he’s played football in Australia in the National Premier League…. who knows, perhaps he might soon be running out for Liverpool or the Gunners.