Solomon Islands’ rising star Ian Kalu speaks his impressions on moving to New Zealand

Recently, Oceania Football Center confirmed the move of Solomon Islands’ full-back Ian Kalu to New Zealand’s Central League side Napier City Rovers. The Solomon Islands’ international left Waneagu United in a famous move to the Hawke’s Bay Area team, being this his third experience overseas after playing for Peninsula Power in Australia last year and previously in a short stint in Langney Wanderers in English low-divisions.

When asked how are his first impressions on the training with his new teammates, Ian Kalu did not hesitate: “Since my arrival here everything was good. I arrived here a week before the preseason started so the training actually kick start a week straight after my arrival here at Hawks Bay. However the training was good and I’m slowly blending in with the team“, said the 23-year-old.

“I’m happy with the training seasons as well, they are a bit tough, but I like it because I enjoy it in game times“, also said the player – “Today we had our first friendly against Petone FC and we won 3-0” added Kalu.

Kalu played the 90 minutes of the friendly match and expressed his feelings after the match: “That’s my first win with the team even though it was a friendly match“, said the full-back, new signing of Napier.

The still very young player expects to prove himself into a higher level; doing well in New Zealand means he opens a path for more Pacific Islands’ talent to move to the country. Kalu, of course, wants to make himself a role model for the new generations of footballers and himself aims high about this future in the beautiful game.