Soccer: Hawke's Bay imports English defender

English defender Dan Kirkup is quitting the Workington Reds club to play for Hawke's Bay United in the New Zealand Football Championship.

Kirkup, 20, who joined Workington this year following a release from Carlisle Utd, told the Workington Times and Star he had been increasingly frustrated with a lack of first-team games.

"I have not been playing for Workington and all I want to do is play regular football," he said.

"I have always wanted to play abroad.

"It was an offer that I couldn't turn down".

The move came after former Carlisle United youth team boss Billy Barr was contacted by Hawke's Bay manager Jonathan Gould.

The 1.93m centre back has signed on until April with Hawke's Bay.

- NZPA