New Zealand All White Michael Boxall is set to make his return to Major League Soccer with Minnesota United following his impressive performances at the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017.
The 28-year-old parted with South African Premier League club SuperSport United- where he played more than 50 matches – after the club failed to agree terms with Boxall on an amended long term deal.
Although Minnesota currently sit bottom of the tightly contested western conference of the MLS, Boxall is looking forward to being a part of the club’s upward climb.
“Excited to be here, I had heard a lot of positive things about the coaching staff here and that got me excited to join the club,” he said.
“Being involved in something from the very start and the opportunity to build something special here meant a lot. I’m very excited to get to know my teammates, the coaching staff and all the fans here in Minnesota.”
Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath is also excited to have the defender on board as his side battles for the six points needed to continue through to the knockout stage of the league.
“We are really pleased to have added a player of his quality. He is a versatile player, can play right back, can play centre back,” he said.
“He’s got experience on the international stage with New Zealand and he’s gotten better as his career has progressed. We think he is a player who is going to push everybody for a starting role on this team moving forward, we know he is chomping at the bit to get going.”
Boxall will be in familiar territory when he makes his return to the North American league having played for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC from 2011-12 before returning to New Zealand to join the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League until 2015.
He’s also well-familiar with the NCAA Division I league in the United States, playing football on a scholarship at University of Santa Barbara from 2007-2010 after working his way through the grades at New Zealand clubs Three Kings United, Central United and Auckland City.
Minnesota United will play Mexico’s Atlas FC in a friendly match at TCF Bank Stadium on 15 July (local time).
Boxall will be added to Minnesota’s roster pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.