Litfin Spreads Wings With Phoenix
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Chris Simpson
Gold Coast City attacking utlity Benjamin Litfin is the latest PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland star to move to the Hyundai A-League after signing with Wellington Phoenix.
The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2016 Golden Boot winner put pen to paper with Phoenix on a one-year deal this week following a successful trial with the New Zealand club.
The move marks Litfin’s second stint in the national top flight after previously being on the book’s of Brisbane Roar’s Hyundai A-League squad as a designated youth player, but failed to secure a regular playing role.
The 21-year-old Gold Coast native, who started his playing career with Musgrave Mustangs and Southport, suffered an injury plagued 2015 campaign with City before returning with his best ever season in the national second tier this year – amassing a league-best 19 goals in 20 matches.
Litfin, who has played as a striker and across midfield with City, was also captain of the recent PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 Select side that played Brisbane Roar.
Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick told the club’s official website, “I had been hearing about Ben from South Melbourne coach Chris Taylor who has developed many A-League players over the years and is a good judge of young players.”
“Ben has had a good grounding with two years in Brisbane Roar’s youth team and I believe he went close to getting a professional contract with the club.”
Litfin is the second PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland player to secure a gig with Phoenix since the competition’s launch – with Moreton Bay United product Joshua Brindell-South also crossing the Tasman to wear the club’s iconic yellow-and-black kit in 2013.
Merrick said while he is primarily focused on identifying Kiwi talent for the country’s sole professional club, he couldn’t overlook the quality of players being produced in Australia.
Litfin told the Phoenix’s official website, ““It is fantastic and I will be arriving in Wellington on Monday.”
“I have been close to getting in the A-League before when I had a two-year pro youth contract with the Roar.”
“I believe I will be better off the second time around because when it didn’t go my way at the Roar I didn’t know how to handle it.”
“This time I am better prepared and I loved the three days I spent at the Phoenix training and playing in a game.
“The Phoenix play exciting, attacking football and I love scoring goals so hopefully I will get a few for the Phoenix.”
City coach Grae Piddick said Litfin’s progress was indicative of the role City is playing to foster local Gold Coast talent for the Hyundai A-League and beyond.
“Obviously we lose a quality player, but happily lose him in these circumstances. It will leave a massive hole – he was the best player in NPL Qld this season,” Piddick explained.
“Ben is going to a club clearly intent on identifying young talent not already in the A-League and prepared to give NPL players an opportunity.”
“We’ve got young lads in the Youth Men’s team with talent and lots of NPL experience – (it’s) time for someone else to step-up,” he concluded.
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