Werribee City has reeled in a mid-season transfer window coup – one-time New Zealand international Jake Butler.
Butler has arrived at the Bees with the ambition of helping the side earn promotion out of National Premier League 2 west.
The 33-year-old scored on his Bees debut against Moreland Zebras two weeks ago and has played a significant role as a box-to-box midfielder.
The Bees have won both of their games with Butler, including Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Langwarrin at Galvin Park.
“There’s still lots of points up for grabs,” Butler said. “There’s no reason why we can’t make a strong push. Our team is well capable of it.”
Butler has played overseas before, linking up with Tampines Rovers in the Singapore S-League, but he has always been drawn to playing in Australia.
Bees coach Sergio Sabbadini made contact at the start of the season, but the time was not right.
Sabbadini was persistent, giving Butler a call ahead of the transfer window and finally landing his man.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Butler said. “I should’ve come at the start of the season, but for a number of reasons that didn’t quite happen.
“Sergio rang me again when the transfer window was open and we made it work.
“I’m really enjoying it at the moment, so I’m glad I’ve decided to come over.”
Butler has a near unmatched record when it comes to New Zealand national league football.
As captain of Waitakere United, he led the team to four consecutive national titles.
He also led the club to two Oceania Champions League titles, which qualified the team for two FIFA Club World Cups.
The icing on the cake for Butler was getting three international caps for New Zealand. His national team debut came in a 1-0 win away to Saudi Arabia.
“It wasn’t the easiest place to go and have your debut,” Butler said.
“It was immensely hot, so it was a difficult game to play against a good opposition … luckily enough we got the win that day and thoroughly enjoyed it.”
For Werribee City, Butler will cover a lot of ground between the boxes, helping out both as a defender and creating incisions with his well-weighted passes on the attacking end.
“The best thing about my game is my passing game, so hopefully I can unlock a few defences,” Butler said.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing remains stuck on the bottom of men’s state league 1 after a 3-1 home loss to Western Suburbs.
Point Cook lost 5-4 to Moreland United in men’s state league 3, leaving it just three points above the relegation zone.
Truganina Hornets moved into the promotion spots in men’s state league 4 after a 4-0 thrashing of Golden Plains.
Mid-table West Point drew 1-1 with Melton Phoenix in men’s state league 5.
In women’s state league 2, Hoppers Crossing beat Yarra Jets 8-1 win, with star striker Julia Budiongo-Batota netting five times and Mya Moran scoring a double.
Point Cook enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Gisborne in women’s state league 3.
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