Image: Bentleigh Greens
The Bentleigh Greens have made their second big signing in as many days with the confirmation of recently released Wellington Phoenix attacking midfielder Ben Litfin.
The former Brisbane Roar Youth team player was set to join John Anastasiadis’ men last October before agreeing terms with the Phoenix ahead of the A-League season.
His move to the Kiwi capital came about after South Melbourne manager Chris Taylor recommended the youngster to then Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick.
He spent three years with the Brisbane Roar Youth team (2012-15), which included time spent training with the senior squad under both Mike Mulvey and Frans Thijssen.
Having departed the youth set-up of the three time A-League Champions, Litfin joined the newly re-named Gold Coast City ahead of the 2016 NPL Queensland campaign.
A standout season saw him become the competition’s best player, having scored 19 times in 20 league matches culminating in the 21-year-old winning the Player of the Year award.
He was also chosen to captain a Queensland Under 23 select team in a pre-season friendly over the Brisbane Roar, with his superb form attracting plenty of interest across the country.
The youngster made two substitute appearances for the Nix this A-League season, including a 10-minute cameo in a Round 4 6-1 defeat away to the Melbourne Victory.
However he sought a release from his contract to pursue first-team opportunities elsewhere and was last week it was granted, with Litfin promptly joining the Greens.
He joins Stipo Andrijasevic and Nick Glavan (both Melbourne Knights), Trent Clulow (Brisbane Strikers), Marco Jankovic (Lions FC), Keanu Moore (Edgeworth Eagles) and Andy Brennan (Newcastle Jets) as new additions at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
Bentleigh kick-off their 2017 competitive campaign with a Community Shield clash against reigning NPL Champions South Melbourne next Thursday evening in Cheltenham.