THE recruitment of New Zealand international goalkeeper Glen Moss is just the start as the Jets go “full throttle” to build a squad capable of challenging for the A-League.
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Moss will join the Jets in July at the end of the All Whites’ commitments at the Confederations Cup in Russia.
The 34-year-old, who has an Australian passport, has played 204 A-League games and will push incumbent Jack Duncan.
His signature is the first since the appointment of Ernie Merrick as coach and leaves the Jets with five places to to fill, including two visa spots.
Ben Kantarovski, whose salary earns a 50% concession in the cap, has been offered a one-year deal.
Mark Milligan, Nathan Burns, Mitch Nichols, Alan Baro and Marcelo Carrusca head a list of potential targets.
“We are not looking for players who aren’t wanted by other clubs,” Jets operations manager Joel Griffiths said.
“We are going for players who are sought after and are going full throttle and aggressive with recruiting.
“It is about timing and where that player wants to go. You have to be at the right place at the right time.”
Griffiths, who played alongside Moss in Wellington, said the recruitment of the Kiwi was a no-brainer.
“He will go to confed cup, which I think is great,” Griffiths said.
“It shows that he is still in good form and we get a really experienced keeper who can help Jack. He has a great work ethic. He is a winner, he helps players and thinks about others first. There is no ego.”
After five years in the Kiwi capital, Moss is looking forward to a change of scenery.
“I am rapt to be coming to the Jets,” Moss said. “It’s a club that I have always thought quite highly of and always had good battles with in the past. I have been at Wellington for five years so changing environments and moving to a club that will not accept anything less than top results and playing finals football next year is something that has got me naturally excited.”
Moss, who made his international debut in a 1-0 win over Malaysia in 2006, will go into camp with the All Whites in Auckland next week.
“After the Confederations Cup in Russia I will come back and get straight into it with the Jets,” Moss said. “I find that it’s really good to have these tournaments in the off-season because it keeps me ticking over. I will be able to hit the ground running with the Jets from day one.”
It will be the third time that Moss has played under Merrick.
“I have coached Glen at two Clubs - Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix - and have found him to be the consummate professional,” Merrick said.
“Glen is extremely capable both technically and physically, and he is a first class character.
“He brings a wealth of Hyundai A-League and international experience to the Jets and we are very fortunate to have his signature.”
