NEW TEST FOR AUSSIE DEFENDER
Posted on: Tue 21 Jul 2009
Australian-born Daniel Leach, the 6ft 3 ins tall central defender who made an impact as a trialist against Arsenal at the weekend, signed for Barnet this afternoon ... his first professional contract at the age of 23.
It has been a whirlwind few days for Daniel, who touched down at Heathrow last Wednesday morning with the hope of making the grade as a player in England.
A recommendation to team manager Ian Hendon saw the defender training with the Bees last Thursday and Friday.
Impressed by what he had seen, Hendon gave Leach a second half outing against the Gunners before a near capacity crowd. And today he signed a one year deal with a further one year option.
Hendon said:"He is going to be an asset. I have been looking for another central defender ... hopefully Daniel will put pressure on Gary Breen and Ismail Yakubu".
Leach said: "The appearance against Arsenal was probably the biggest game of my career to date ... just looking over and seeing the likes of Andrey Arshavin in the opposition side was tremendous".
The personable Leach's route to a contract is unusual to say the least. On the way, during a previous visit to London, he worked as a film extra and a waiter and in a House of Fraser department store.
He was born in Scarborough, a suburb of Brisbane and played for state teams and the semi-professional Brisbane Strikers and North Star.
Daniel moved to the United States and for four years was captain of the Oregon State University side. He played as an amateur for the Portland Timbers side who, incidentally, play at Burnley this weekend.
He is a self -confessed Manchester United fan.Like all Aussies he likes his cricket ... but we did not discuss this week's England victory at Lord's over his countrymen.
"We'll talk about cricket after the next three Tests", he said.
Ian Hendon is more concerned that Leach will bowl over the Underhill crowd with his displays.
Dennis Signy
SMS subscribers were the first fans to hear this news. If you wish to get all the important news first, please Click Here for more details.
It has been a whirlwind few days for Daniel, who touched down at Heathrow last Wednesday morning with the hope of making the grade as a player in England.
A recommendation to team manager Ian Hendon saw the defender training with the Bees last Thursday and Friday.
Impressed by what he had seen, Hendon gave Leach a second half outing against the Gunners before a near capacity crowd. And today he signed a one year deal with a further one year option.
Hendon said:"He is going to be an asset. I have been looking for another central defender ... hopefully Daniel will put pressure on Gary Breen and Ismail Yakubu".
Leach said: "The appearance against Arsenal was probably the biggest game of my career to date ... just looking over and seeing the likes of Andrey Arshavin in the opposition side was tremendous".
The personable Leach's route to a contract is unusual to say the least. On the way, during a previous visit to London, he worked as a film extra and a waiter and in a House of Fraser department store.
He was born in Scarborough, a suburb of Brisbane and played for state teams and the semi-professional Brisbane Strikers and North Star.
Daniel moved to the United States and for four years was captain of the Oregon State University side. He played as an amateur for the Portland Timbers side who, incidentally, play at Burnley this weekend.
He is a self -confessed Manchester United fan.Like all Aussies he likes his cricket ... but we did not discuss this week's England victory at Lord's over his countrymen.
"We'll talk about cricket after the next three Tests", he said.
Ian Hendon is more concerned that Leach will bowl over the Underhill crowd with his displays.
Dennis Signy
SMS subscribers were the first fans to hear this news. If you wish to get all the important news first, please Click Here for more details.
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