Former Auckland City defender Brian Kaltak is in line to make his A-League debut on Sunday when he’s due to turn out for Central Coast Mariners against the Wellington Phoenix.
The 29-year-old captain of the Vanuatu national team was hoping to make his A-League entrance last weekend but the Mariner’s first round game was postponed due to a rainstorm.
“Everything happens for a reason you know,” Kaltak told OFC Media.
“Maybe my debut was just meant to be against the Wellington Phoenix.
“I am really looking forward to coming back to New Zealand. That is where I started my football journey, and it would be good to make my debut there. It will be more special and there will hopefully be a few fans down there cheering me on.”
Kaltak caught the attention of the New South Wales club at last year’s Vanuatu national team camp in Doha, Qatar, and was invited to join them for a trial.
Injury prevented him from signing last year but he tried again this year and the Mariners offered him his first professional contract.
Head coach Nick Montgomery said:
“His personality is infectious and he fits perfectly into the group. He will create competition for places in the backline and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Kaltak’s football career began with the Vanuatu Football Federation’s academy at Teouma before he joined his hometown club, Erakor Golden Star FC.
He moved to New Zealand where he played for Waterside Karori, Tasman United and Auckland City, for whom he played about 50 games after moving to Kiwitea St in 2018.
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