A talented young Kiwi footballer has been snapped up by a top Swiss football club on a professional contract.
Max Mata, 18, who is of Cook Island and Māori descent, has signed a two and a half year deal with Grasshopper Club Zurich of Switzerland.
Mata is a graduate of the Wellington Phoenix Soccer School and has toured the world playing for the academy before being signed.
The young footballer is proud to represent his family overseas at his new club.
"I am happy to finally be starting my footballing career.
"I am living my dream job and it makes me feel proud of my family name and where I have come from," Mata says.
His advice to other young Kiwi footballers looking to follow in his footsteps is to "constantly work harder than your team mates".
New Zealand football legend Wynton Rufer played for Grasshoppers in the late 80s.
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