The centre back joins a raft of fellow defenders at Fred Taylor Park, including ex-Wellington Phoenix youngster Luke Adams, player-coach Brian Shelley, former New Zealand U-23 rep Tristan Prattley and youth internationals Harshae Raniga and Alec Solomons.
A rearguard will be drawn from that talented group to line up in front of Danny Robinson, the ASB Premiership Goalkeeper of the Decade, when Waitakere’s national league campaign gets underway at the start of next month.
With the exception of 32-year-old Shelley, Waitakere’s other defensive options are mostly of a youthful disposition so the experience of Boyens is likely to prove invaluable as the club chases a sixth ASB Premiership title.
“I am really pleased Andy has decided to join the squad,” Shelley says.
“He will be a valuable member of the team for a number of reasons. He will be a leader and a role model to the younger players and will also bring some additional experience to the defence.”
Boyens’ credentials cannot be called into question as he has spent time on the books of some of the biggest clubs in the American MLS, including New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of superstars David Beckham and Robbie Keane.
The Napier-born defender began his senior domestic career in the south, playing for Dunedin Technical and Otago United, and caught the eye of national age-group selectors as a player with outstanding potential.
Boyens appeared for his country at U-20 and U-23 level and moved to the United States on a scholarship in 2004, starring for the University of New Mexico before breaking into the professional game via MLS outfit Toronto FC.
He made his debut for the All Whites in 2006 and was part of the squad that memorably competed at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa four years later.
During his time as a professional, Boyens took the first steps towards a coaching career by working in his respective clubs’ community programmes and academies.
He continued down that path on his return to New Zealand earlier this year, joining the Northern Football Federation as a development officer.
The 31-year-old replaced Waitakere goalkeeper Robinson, who is now goalkeeping coach for the Football Ferns national women’s team, in the role and currently works alongside former Red and Whites favourite Martin Bullock.
He is also very familiar with fellow Waitakere recruit David Mulligan after playing with the experienced midfielder for many years in the All Whites and acting as assistant coach as the pair led Forrest Hill-Milford United to promotion from the Lotto NRFL Division Two over the winter.
Boyens will make his official debut for his new club when Waitakere host Wanderers SC in the ASB Premiership on November 1.
Story courtesy by Waitakere United Media
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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