Hawke’s Bay United and Oly-Whites fullback Ian Hogg has joined Hereford United in the English Football League for a two-week trial.
Despite being just 18-years-old the defender has already amassed 33 caps for Hawke’s Bay United over two seasons and been to both a FIFA U-20 World Cup and an Olympic Games.
A series of mature performances for the Oly-Whites in China led to the opportunity – organised by Hawke’s Bay United’s assistant coach Bobby Gould – with ‘the Whites’ of Hereford.
The Edgar Street club won promotion to League One – the third tier of English Football – after finishing third in League Two during the 2007-08 season.
Hawke’s Bay coach Jonathan Gould – who doubles as assistant coach for both the Junior All Whites (U-20) and Oly-Whites (U-23) – said Hogg left with the Hawke’s Bay United best wishes as he chased a professional contract.
“Ian has progressed into a fine left back over the past two seasons both with us and as a player in the U-20 World Cup and more recently at the Olympics.
“I played under Graham Turner for Hereford three years ago and it is a great club with a fine manager. I am sure he will be impressed by Ian’s tenacity in the tackle and ability to get forward from left back.
“Even though Ian is only 18 he has an advanced psychological approach to the game which should help him fulfill a dream. We hope he succeeds and wish him well.”
Hogg arrives in the UK on Thursday.
Story and photograph courtesy of New Zealand Football media and Getty Images
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