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Back to basics for Andrew Blake

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 20 September 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC have signed former Hibernian and Wellington Phoenix defender Andrew Blake.

The 23-year-old former New Zealand age group international played a key role in the FIFA U-20 World Cup four years ago when they reached the Round of 16 before bowing out to Portugal.

Prior to that, Blake also figured prominently in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 and was so highly regarded he was picked up by the Wellington Phoenix and their academy set-up.

His most recent sojourn saw him signed by Scottish club Hibernian but a run of serious injuries hampered his progress before he was loaned out to Edinburgh City.

Coach Jose Figueira is delighted to pick up a player who is eager to return to top form and brings a level of natural enthusiasm to everything he does.

"Andrew brings some of the key qualities I'm looking for this year. He's super energetic and exciting to watch and he's really passionate on the pitch and plays with his heart on his sleeve.

AUDIO - Andrew Blake

"In terms of his qualities he's young, hungry and wants to learn and he showed that in his experiences with Hibernian in Scotland.

"He's ready to rebuild his career and he's someone I'm really excited for our fans the ISPS Handa Premiership to get a good look at again after being away for a few years.

"Andrew is really committed to the project and the plan here and he can't wait to get out on the pitch," Figueira told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Blake echoed Figueira's sentiments and it's clear he wants to get back to regular first team football in a proactive and positive setting.

"I'm excited for the upcoming season. I've had a couple of bad injuries and I'm keen to settle down and start enjoying my football again and Auckland City FC is the best place to start doing that again," he said.

While some players might have taken an injury setback as a cue to find another line of work, Blake says his time in Scotland taught him a lot about the game and character.

"Scottish football was a massive change t playing for Eastern Suburbs. I went from playing in the ISPS Handa Premiership to the Scottish Premiership and it's a huge difference.

"It's aggressive and a lot of the time the ball is in the air and you have to fight your way into the team. There are massive squads because there are constantly injuries and I got on the wrong end of that.

"But in terms of experience I learned a lot from going there and I loved my time there.

"Now I want to start enjoying my football again and then I'll look at the future but I've been out of the game for a wee bit so I want to get back to touching the ball, take small steps and get back into it," he said.

AUDIO - Jose Figueira

The attraction of Kiwitea Street was a major drawcard for Blake but there's an unmistakable football fission between himself and Figueira that should give Navy Blues high hopes for the season ahead.

"I've worked with Jose years ago in the National Talent Centres and we've always stayed in contact with each other. I was tempted to go back to Team Wellington last season because he was there.

"Auckland City FC has a big reputation as a club but it also helps that Jose is here because his philosophy of football is very similar to how I like to play," he said.

Blake, who tore up ISPS Handa Premiership defences with Eastern Suburbs two years ago, wants to do the same for the Navy Blues but it's clear he's waiting patiently to see how he fits into Figueira's plans first.

"My key strengths are getting up and down the field and my fitness has always been really good and my key attribute is my speed.

"I like to play on the flanks and love getting the ball, beating a player and getting in a cross - that's what I enjoy but I'll see how Jose wants to use me first and concentrate on getting back to full fitness," he said.

Ends

FACTFILE
Name: Andrew Blake
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Previous clubs: Hibernian (SCO), Edinburgh City (SCO), Eastern Suburbs AFC (NZL), Hawke's Bay United (NZL), Wellington Phoenix (NZL).