Who-segems?

Huysegems at Lierse - funny how the colours are exactly the same as the Phoenix's

The Wellington Phoenix's quest for a world-class striker has ended with the signing of former Belgian international, Stein Huysegems. The 30-year-old who was off contract at his last club, Racing Genk, signed a 2-year contract and arrives on the A-League scene on the back of glowing recommendations from former teammate at Lierse and Melbourne Victory star, Archie Thompson.

Huysegems has played in the top divisions of Dutch and Belgian football, featuring for top ten clubs over there like Lierse, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Twente and Racing Genk. Huysegems' most prolific goal scoring run came for Lierse where 33 goals in 135 appearances.

Huysegems also made 15 appearances for the Belgian national side without scoring any goals.

I must admit I haven't seen too much of Huysegems to comment on what type of player to expect but I have seen some of his goals and they are quality. The standard of the A-League is also lower than that in Holland and Belgium and I think if Huysegems can stay healthy and fit the formation at the Phoenix, he could potentially be the best ever footballer to play for a New Zealand professional football team. At 6'1" he is quite tall for a striker and should be good with his head, but apparently he has good pace too.

The Phoenix's problem is that they were far too dependent on Paul Ifill's creativity last season and we sorely missed him when he was injured. However, with Ifill not getting any younger, there needs to be more options up front. Dani Sanchez has emerged as a good creative option but will still play as the link man between midfield and the strikers. Huysegems will be expected to finish off whatever Sanchez feeds to him.

So, the season opener in Wellington could be the one to watch on the opening weekend of the A-League with two footballers from Europe's top flights now taking on each other. Of course, Del Piero's name will shade the unknown quantity that is Huysegems but could the Belgian come up with the goods when it matters? That often tends to be the case.