Ben Waine Signs

Ben Waine Signs

the link wrote:

Argyle have fought off strong interest from a number of clubs, including Championship sides, to secure the signing of New Zealand international Ben Waine from A-League side Wellington Phoenix.

Waine, a highly-rated 21-year-old striker, has arrived in Devon, passed a medical and agreed terms ahead of an official move for an undisclosed fee when the transfer window opens on 1 January, subject to EFL and international clearance.

Ben sampled his first Home Park experience from the directors’ box as Argyle overcame Wycombe Wanderers on Thursday night, and was inspired, despite higher league interest, to make Plymouth his new home after learning more about the project unfolding in Devon.

The signing is further evidence of the long-term philosophy employed at Home Park, with the promising forward signing a deal until the end of the 24/25 campaign, which also includes a club-sided option for an extra year.

A longstanding transfer target at Home Park, speedy forward Ben joins from his hometown side Phoenix, based in the capital of New Zealand. Former Pilgrim Scott Wootton is part of the squad for Phoenix, who are seventh in the A-League after nine games of the season.

A product of the Phoenix academy who holds a British passport through his parents, Waine made his first-team debut in April 2019, shortly before his 18th birthday, and became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer the following November. Prior to this, Ben played for the Phoenix reserve team as part of his footballing development as a scholar.

Waine’s raw talent and eye for goal has seen him gain regular international recognition throughout his fledgling career, representing the All Whites through the international age groups, including the FIFA under-20 World Cup in Poland in 2019, where he scored twice in a 5-0 win over Honduras.

Waine is also an Olympian, having represented New Zealand in the Tokyo 2020 games following an incredible preliminary campaign, in which Ben scored eight goals from just five appearances as New Zealand qualified as the Oceania representatives for the games.

Excellent form back at Wellington Phoenix earned a nomination for the A-League Young Player of the Year in 2021, and a call-up to New Zealand’s senior national side came soon after, with Waine’s first senior international goal proving the winner in a 1-0 victory over Papua New Guinea in a World Cup qualifier in March 2022.

While their playing styles may lack similarity, Waine follows in the footsteps of Rory Fallon, who played 160 times for Argyle between 2007 and 2011, and earned legendary status in New Zealand by scoring the goal that qualified the All Whites for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Argyle boss Steven Schumacher said of the signing: “We are delighted that Ben Waine has joined us at Plymouth Argyle. He is a player I have been tracking for over a year now, and we made an attempt in the summer to try and bring him to Home Park.

"I want to thank Andrew Parkinson, Simon Hallett and the board for continuing the pursuit, and allowing us the opportunity to buy Ben and give him his chance to play in England.

"Ben is a young player who has a tremendous attitude and a willingness to learn and improve. Hopefully he can help score the goals that will maintain our push for promotion, and I’m sure all of the Green Army will be excited to see him play.

"Welcome aboard, Ben."

Director of Football Neil Dewsnip added: "I’m really excited about the signing of Ben. He is somebody we tried to bring to Argyle in the summer, but it proved to be challenging, Thankfully, we have managed to get him at last.

“l believe he will aid our promotion challenge and will add further competition to an already impressive group of front players.

“I’d like to acknowledge the work undertaken by Jimmy Dickinson and the support given by Andrew Parkinson, Zac newton and David Ray in the process of signing Ben.”

Waine will wear the number 23. His home and away shirts are sponsored by Cliff Walker.

Welcome to Home Park, Ben!

No idea who he is or what he can do but Welcome to the club i look forward to seeing what your about.

Never heard of the geezer but welcome to Home park !
It’s not a very good standard of football our equivalent I reckon of L2 and from a country that football ain’t there first sport …but not gunna knock the fella until with seen him play ..but with the money that is sloshing about up there at the moment it does cry out cheapness but we’re see….like to know what championship clubs were intrested though if any cos surely he would have signed for them & doubled his wages

Just seen Scott Whooton plays for em that there should suggest the standard

RegGreen wrote:

Just seen Scott Whooton plays for em that there should suggest the standard

lets see how he does overtime, im not expecting him to be an instant hit more like a player who will get better with each game he plays as he gets used to English football as you are right this standard is alot higher than in Australia/New Zealand. The club also need to learn lessons from the Alfie Lewis singing in how they get him up to scratch. I just truly hope he has been brought in to add depth to our striker options with Hardie, Ennis and Cosgrove and NOT been signed to replace one of them.

Angry wrote:

RegGreen wrote:

Just seen Scott Whooton plays for em that there should suggest the standard

lets see how he does overtime, im not expecting him to be an instant hit more like a player who will get better with each game he plays as he gets used to English football as you are right this standard is alot higher than in Australia/New Zealand. The club also need to learn lessons from the Alfie Lewis singing in how they get him up to scratch. I just truly hope he has been brought in to add depth to our striker options with Hardie, Ennis and Cosgrove and NOT been signed to replace one of them.

let’s hope not his been signed as a replacement as the Hardie rumour has surfaced again ..yeah I like to think his been added as a bit of gamble for one for the future….I still think we need sign a bit of experience & players of some decently that could go in and help with promotion push immediately angers

I think this pretty much confirms a striker is leaving.  Wouldn't be surprised if Cosgrove is being recalled but more likely it's Hardie who's being sold, just hope it's not to another L1 club.  It's reassuring  there was Championship interest in him although that's not elaborated on in that piece.

One or two need to digest what Shuey and Dewsnip have said (when they believe Hardie is leaving) when in reality Waine was in fact an attempted signing last Summer
The signing is to further improve the squad and not to replace someone else

Hardie would be no great loss imo, certainly not championship standard.

Well right now Hallett & the board need to get there heads out there arses and open there wallets …and some a couple of decent experienced L1 or Championships quality who’s up to speed and can go straight in the team / squad that are gunna helpful to the team for the buisness end push immediately and not taking a gamble/punt on a untried youngster at this level who will probably be one for the future maybe  but that could have waited till the summer  a  signing like this …but right now we need a couple players that can be slung straight in the mix of things ..seriously I can see the board feckin up the best chance with had for years if  they don’t do the right thing that everybody else can blatantly see

Ben Waine certainly knows where the goal is !!. If he can replicate his scoring prowess from New Zealand in a League One game, then fair shout.


Welcome to Home Park Ben Waine, may your time at Argyle be a fruitful one.

RegGreen wrote:

Never heard of the geezer but welcome to Home park !
It’s not a very good standard of football our equivalent I reckon of L2 and from a country that football ain’t there first sport …but not gunna knock the fella until with seen him play ..but with the money that is sloshing about up there at the moment it does cry out cheapness but we’re see….Like to know what championship clubs were intrested though if any cos surely he would have signed for them & doubled his wages

Not neccessarily, he might have liked what Argyle are about and what the club are trying to achieve.

Found his on the lad.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Looks like a development player but he is pacey so fingers crossed, I still think we are crying out for a dominant CB and also cover for LB and RB where I really think we are lacking the quality. Waine obviously signed for the toilets lets hope there are more bathroom obsessed quality football players out there.

Angry wrote:

Looks like a proper poacher although his goalie chip was classy.

VillageGreen wrote:

Found his on the lad.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Seems like a really nice lad

Not sure we necessarily need more cover up front (certaintly not a priority) but he does seem like a development player rather than one we'd expect to score a lot of goals this season. Apparently we've spent a 6-figure sum on him. That's fine, but bit concerned we are splashing money on development players when the focus needs to be bringing in a couple of players that can immediately help with securing promotion.

If the rumours about Saxon Earley coming in are true then he also seems like a 'development' player which we are spending some wedge on.

Obviously don't know how good a prospect these guys are, and in the long term they may turn out to be canny buys, but a bit concerned we're focussing on the future when we really need to concentrate on strengthening the team now. If we are planning to bring in 2 or 3 more experienced players as well then fine, but otherwise it might have been better to just recall Jephcott and Law if needed to provide extra cover, and use the transfer funds to bring in more experienced players.

This seems like a good signing to me looks like he's got a bit of quality about him, well done uncle si, and the management.

Flat_Track_Bully wrote:

Not sure we necessarily need more cover up front (certaintly not a priority) but he does seem like a development player rather than one we'd expect to score a lot of goals this season. Apparently we've spent a 6-figure sum on him. That's fine, but bit concerned we are splashing money on development players when the focus needs to be bringing in a couple of players that can immediately help with securing promotion.

If the rumours about Saxon Earley coming in are true then he also seems like a 'development' player which we are spending some wedge on.

Obviously don't know how good a prospect these guys are, and in the long term they may turn out to be canny buys, but a bit concerned we're focussing on the future when we really need to concentrate on strengthening the team now. If we are planning to bring in 2 or 3 more experienced players as well then fine, but otherwise it might have been better to just recall Jephcott and Law if needed to provide extra cover, and use the transfer funds to bring in more experienced players.

Given our track record for injuries and players dropping off with form this is exactly why we need depth in options up front and atm we have that with the 4 we have. Even if Hardie does indeed sign with Preston and joins a guy who is very unpopular with the fans this month i suspect Schuey will want another to replace him.

We are in a fantastic position atm we will never have a better opportunity to go up as champions so we need to make sure we help our cause as much as poss as im sure you and others know the other teams are going to be strengthening their hand this month to ensure they get what we have.

The A league is pretty competitive, League 1 at least, probably not quite Championship.