Valour FC welcomed aboard Moses Dyer on Friday and the New Zealand-born midfielder chatted with Ed Tait of valourfootball.club.
Here are five things to know about Valour’s new signing:
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1. FROM NEW ZEALAND TO NORWAY TO WINNIPEG
Dyer, who turns 23 in March, was born and raised in New Zealand before heading to Norway in 2018. He played with Floro in 2019, currently in the Norwegian Second Division. He had six goals in 19 matches last year.
2. THE ALL WHITES
Dyer has played 11 international matches for the New Zealand national team – dubbed the ‘All Whites – and wore the captain’s arm band during the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his senior team debut in a friendly against South Korea in 2015 and last played for the All Whites in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup – scoring the winner in a 2-1 decision over India in Mumbai.
3. THE ROAD TO VALOUR
Dyer made his professional debut with Wanderers SC in New Zealand in 2014 and has also played for Onehunga Sports, Eastern Suburbs, Northcote City and Manakau United of the New Zealand Premiership.
After appearing in the U-20 World Cup, he had trials with Arendal of Norway, Danish side Vejle Boldkub and Crewe Alexandra in England’s League Two.
He then left for Norway to join Floro and joins Valour FC through the Canadian Premier League’s new partnership with 21st Club, an arrangement that helps teams find and sign international players under the age of 23.
4. A ‘WARRIOR’ MENTALITY
Dyer is of Maori descent. The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and the national rugby team has made the haka – their traditional challenge – part of their pre-game ritual.
“My grandmother from mom’s side is full Maori and Maori people are fighters, warriors actually. My mom’s dad is full English and my dad is full Jamaican.
“So,” Dyer added with a chuckle, “I’m a bit of a mix.”
5. POSITIONAL VERSATILITY
Dyer said he is a ‘10’ – an attacking midfielder – and Valour FC GM and head coach Rob Gale likes his ability to move around the park.
“What I like is he’s got that positional versatility to play the wing, but he’s also played centre forward before,” said Gale. “Key to how we’ll play are players like Brett (Levis), Fraser (Aird), Moses being interchangeable so you can change up the look. It’s all of those guys, including Dylan Carreiro.”