McGarry signed by Willem II
JAMES McGarry has landed an impressive deal in Europe.
The Dunedinraised left back has signed with Willem II, which plays in the Eredivisie, the top flight of football in the Netherlands.
He has signed a twoyear contract, the club having the option to extend that a further two years.
Willem II technical director Joris Mathijsen said the club was glad to have secured the 20yearold’s signature.
‘‘We are very pleased with the arrival of James.
‘‘He is a talented boy with a good mentality. This is a quality of players from Australia and New Zealand.
‘‘We are glad that he chooses us to develop further in Europe,’’ Mathijsen said.
McGarry, son of All Whites great Mike McGarry, left Dunedin in 2012 to attend the Asia Pacific Football Academy in Christchurch.
He then linked with the Wellington Phoenix in 2014 and has played two ALeague games and 52 games in the New Zealand national premiership.
During that time he also played for the New Zealand under17 and under20 sides.
Willem II has played in the top flight of Dutch football for the past three years and last year finished 13th.
Both times it has been relegated in the past 30 years it has won promotion the following season.
Its best result came in 1999, when it finished second behind Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Feyenoord.