Congratulations to Christchurch United goalkeeper Scott Morris for completing a move to English Championship team Stoke City and signing a contract until the end of the 24/25 Season.
The move to professional football completes and astonishing month for the 22-year-old stopper who impressed scouts during an amazing Southern League and National League season. Morris was a massive contributor to Christchurch United’s third-placed finish in the National League as well as becoming the hero in the Chatham Cup final, where United picked up its first national trophy since 1991 in a penalty shootout where Morris saved Jakob England’s spot kick.
The goalkeeper also impressed at the successful Olympic qualifying tournament with the New Zealand U23 side and is expected to be between the sticks in at the Paris Olympic Games in August. Morris will be the first Christchurch United player representing New Zealand at the Olympic Games since All Whites legend and former captain Ryan Nelsen in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
The Christchurch United goalkeeper has been training at Stoke City’s Clayton Wood in recent weeks and was included in the Potters’ matchday squad for Monday night’s PL2 victory against Manchester City. Morris was invited to Stoke by former Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould, who left the club in December when Stoke City appointed a new management team.
“It has been a long-held ambition to test myself in England, which was something I explored a couple of years ago, and it now feels like the right time and right opportunity to develop my game,” Morris told reporters. “My immediate goal is to adapt to the professional environment, learn from my new teammates and be the best version of myself in training every day. It’s a chance I want to grasp with both hands.”
Technical Director Ricky Martin said: “Scott is a promising prospect, and we are looking forward to seeing how he develops with us. We hope that being in and around our environment, working with Darren Behcet alongside a close-knit group of fellow goalkeepers, will help Scott fulfil his long-term potential. He has the very best wishes of us all as he embarks on his Stoke City career.”
Morris’s move to England will be an inspiration for every player at Christchurch United dreaming of a professional career. Everyone at Christchurch United is incredibly proud of Scott and wishes him all the best for the rest of his professional career.
The move to professional football completes and astonishing month for the 22-year-old stopper who impressed scouts during an amazing Southern League and National League season. Morris was a massive contributor to Christchurch United’s third-placed finish in the National League as well as becoming the hero in the Chatham Cup final, where United picked up its first national trophy since 1991 in a penalty shootout where Morris saved Jakob England’s spot kick.
The goalkeeper also impressed at the successful Olympic qualifying tournament with the New Zealand U23 side and is expected to be between the sticks in at the Paris Olympic Games in August. Morris will be the first Christchurch United player representing New Zealand at the Olympic Games since All Whites legend and former captain Ryan Nelsen in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
The Christchurch United goalkeeper has been training at Stoke City’s Clayton Wood in recent weeks and was included in the Potters’ matchday squad for Monday night’s PL2 victory against Manchester City. Morris was invited to Stoke by former Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould, who left the club in December when Stoke City appointed a new management team.
“It has been a long-held ambition to test myself in England, which was something I explored a couple of years ago, and it now feels like the right time and right opportunity to develop my game,” Morris told reporters. “My immediate goal is to adapt to the professional environment, learn from my new teammates and be the best version of myself in training every day. It’s a chance I want to grasp with both hands.”
Technical Director Ricky Martin said: “Scott is a promising prospect, and we are looking forward to seeing how he develops with us. We hope that being in and around our environment, working with Darren Behcet alongside a close-knit group of fellow goalkeepers, will help Scott fulfil his long-term potential. He has the very best wishes of us all as he embarks on his Stoke City career.”
Morris’s move to England will be an inspiration for every player at Christchurch United dreaming of a professional career. Everyone at Christchurch United is incredibly proud of Scott and wishes him all the best for the rest of his professional career.
