Announced close to AS Saint-Etienne, New Zealander Ben Old will not sign in the coming days. The Wellington Phoenix winger should instead join the Greens after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which he will play with his selection.
Like all the other Ligue 1 residents, AS Saint-Etienne has probably revised its plans on the transfer market. The uncertainty surrounding TV rights can only encourage caution. However, the promoted team will begin its recruitment in the coming days. Unless there is a change of situation, Yunis Abdelhamid should join the Greens. The central defender released by Stade de Reims chose the Saint-Etienne offer despite the interest of Stade Brestois, qualified for the Champions League.
Then comes the time to complete the arrival of Ben Old. According to the New Zealand Herald, the Wellington Phoenix left winger is indeed close to an agreement with AS Saint-Etienne. But the source indicates that the New Zealander will not commit until after the Olympic Games that he will play this summer. In the meantime, without confirming his upcoming transfer, Ben Old spoke about the rest of his career. The most important thing for me is to find a place where I can play. That’s the most important thing. », insisted the probable future Stéphanois.
Playing time above all else
« I have to put my ego aside and not just look for the best contract if it’s not a place where I can play, showcase myself and flourish. A departure to France with a new language? It will definitely be a new challenge if this is the path I choose. But I really like the challenge of going to a place where people don’t speak English and hopefully I can learn another language, that’s what I would love to do. And often, it’s football that speaks. Although it would be difficult with the lifestyle, if I can play football well everything else would fall into place », added Ben Old, ready to take the plunge.
