Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

Moreton Bay United have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Matt Stein from Brisbane City for the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 season.

The defending PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Champions snapped up the 21-year-old as they seek to replace departed first-choice goalkeeper Luke Borean, who has linked up with SWQ Thunder.

Despite his youth, Stein is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland with 60 league appearances to his credit over the past three seasons for a return of 14 clean sheets.

He said he is excited by the opportunity ahead and looking forward reuniting under Jets Technical Director Adam Piddick, who coached Stein as a junior at community club Logan Lightning.

“I thought this year I needed more of a challenge and step out of my comfort zone a little bit,” Stein explained.

“I feel like Moreton Bay has a really attacking style of football and, as strange as it is for a goalkeeper to think that way, my style is very direct and I like to be part of the play as well.”

Prior to 2015, Stein held the record of most career clean sheets in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland and said he is hopeful of regaining that statistical record from current holder Shane Viitakangas.

“I think every good goalkeeper out there is measured on how many clean sheets they can keep. I feel like I am one of the better goalkeepers in the league but I don’t really have the stats to prove that anymore.”

“So it’s a challenge to myself this year to regain that title of having the most clean sheets in the league,” he concluded.

Piddick said he has high expectations for Stein as Jets seek to defend their silverware in 2016.

“Obviously we needed to sign a goalkeeper and Steiny was the first person I contacted,” Piddick said.

“For me, he has the ability to be one of the best goalkeepers in the league and, if he reaches his potential, I think he will do us well,” he concluded.

Stein is a product of the Queensland Academy of Sport and was also previously at Brisbane Roar on an injury replacement contract.

He joins a raft of new recruits at Jets including Jacob Fulluck, Matt Byrne and Alex Janovsky, with further signings due to be announced by Jets later this week.