The Solomon Islands import has spent the last few months in Turkey trying to secure a professional contract but will now wing his way back to Port Vila.
Wetney, a hero in his homeland for his exploits with the national futsal team, trialed with Turkish second-tier club Giresunspor and also reportedly attracted the interest of giants Fenerbahçe and Galatasary.
Amicale coach Luke Eroi will be delighted to have the services of one of his key players once more as the Reds look to prove their runners-up placing in last season’s O-League was no fluke.
The 21-year-old has carved out a reputation as one of the finest futsal players in Oceania but has also made an impact in the outdoor version of the game in recent months. He was a member of the Solomon Islands squad during its preparations for the Pacific Games, held in New Caledonia during August and September, but was unable to take his place at the tournament due to the Turkish trip.
He was an important figure for Amicale as Eroi’s men raised eyebrows by making it all the way to the O-League final and his combination with Fenedy Masauvakalo, the competition’s golden boot winner, will again worry plenty of defences this term.
Eroi now has plenty of options in that area of the field though after the signing of fellow forwards Joe Luwi and Joachim Waroi and may choose to mix things up in the final third.
Fans favourite Alick Maemae has also been named in the squad again but the scale of his involvement remains to be seen after the prodigiously talented winger missed both legs of last year’s final due to personal commitments.
Wetney is not the first talented Solomon Islander to try his luck at a professional career overseas. Benjamin Totori and Judd Molea headed to the USA and France respectively but both returned empty-handed.
Totori saw his time at the Portland Timbers cut short due to injury while Molea was not offered a contract after brief stints at Lyon and Strasbourg.
Wetney will re-join his team mates when Amicale settle into the Vanuatu Football Federation’s Teouma Academy for a two-week camp this Monday to prepare for their opening O-League outing, a meeting with 2010 champions Hekari United at PVL Stadium in Port Vila on October 29.
Amicale are in good form going into the tournament, having made a bright start to the domestic TVL Premier League.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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