Ben Old became the first New Zealander to start a Ligue 1 match after making his debut for 10-time French champions Saint-Etienne.
The 21-year-old former Wellington Phoenix star started Saturday’s 1-0 loss away to Monaco in France’s top flight on Saturday (AEST).
Old played 68 minutes as Saint-Etienne lost their season opener following the club’s promotion from the second tier in 2023-24.
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“With the youth of the evening, it is normal to be lacking in this area,” said head coach Olivier Dall’Oglio regarding Monaco’s domination in midfield.
“During the summer, some sometimes had difficulty. But they have already learned! When you come here to play a team that aims for the title, you learn even faster! That’s what we wanted.”
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Contracted until 2028 with an option of a further season, Old’s “life-changing” move ended his six-year association with the Phoenix, having joined the academy as a teenager in 2018.
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It was also reward for his fine form for Wellington, where the Phoenix enjoyed an historic run to the Isuzu UTE A-League Semi-Finals last season.
Old featured in all 29 Isuzu UTE A-League games, scoring five goals and supplying four assists as Wellington came within a whisker of a maiden Grand Final berth after falling to Melbourne Victory.
As a result, Old was rewarded with A-Leagues All Stars Men’s selection as the competition’s best humbling Premier League giants Newcastle United 8-0 in May, with the attacker opening the scoring.
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