Former Wellington Phoenix defender Joshua Laws is establishing himself with new club Grasshopper Zürich, making eight appearances in the Swiss Super League before the competition’s mid-season break.
Laws (25) is in the first year of a two-year contract with the club, and says he’s adjusted to the different style of football.
“I would say that tactically, there isn’t much of a difference (compared to the men’s A-League),” Laws told Front Page Football.
“I wouldn’t say that the Swiss league is superior to the A-League, but in terms of the physicality, speed of the game, and directness, then it is different to what I was used to.
“It is a lot faster, which took a while for me to get used to, but I adjusted to the league fast.”
Laws made his debut against Switzerland’s only UEFA Champions League group stage representative, BSC Young Boys, who currently lead the competition.
Main photo: Joshua Laws … settling in at Grasshopper Club. Photo credit: GC Zürich.
Glasgow-born Laws was raised in Australia and moved to Germany when 14, where he played for Fortuna Düsseldorf’s youth academy before moving to Wellington Phoenix for whom he made his A-League debut in 2020.
Laws became a free agent after the Wellington Phoenix did not offer him a new contract at the end of last season.
“I appreciated my time at Wellington, but to a certain extent, I missed European football, as I think it gives you something a little bit different,” Laws said.
“I really wanted to come back (to Europe), and it was my goal. Grasshopper got in touch with my agent, and it moved on pretty quick.
“I hadn’t really considered Switzerland as a potential option. I had talks with the chairman about the club, coaches, staff, and got a feel [of it]. I was very excited about it and glad to be here. It’s the perfect next step forward.”
He has represented Scotland and Australia as an age group international.
Grasshopper’s past players include All Whites Wynton Rufer, Max Mata and Nando Pijnaker.
READ MORE: Front Page Football’s full interview with Joshua Laws >>>>
READ MORE: On-the-move Phoenix defender Joshua Laws joins Swiss club Grasshopper >>>>
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