Soccer: Kingz get all-clear to rehearse new Lines

CHRISTCHURCH - All Whites soccer international Aaran Lines is free to play for the Football Kingz in their National Soccer League match against the Adelaide Force on Friday.

His transfer from German third division club, Vfl Osnabruck was completed yesterday after a consortium of Christchurch businessmen paid $25,000 towards the transfer fee.

He has been registered with Christchurch's Halswell United club, who will make him available to the Kingz for their NSL campaign.

Canterbury Soccer executive officer Terry Blacktopp confirmed an official release for Lines had been received from the German Football Federation, via New Zealand Soccer.

"He is now officially a Halswell player, and it's now up to Halswell and the consortium to formalise the loan agreement with the Kingz," Blacktopp said.

A consortium spokesman, former Halswell president Kevin Clarke, expected those negotiations to be completed yesterday.

Lines would be on loan on a "week to week basis" but would effectively be available to the Kingz for the rest of the NSL season, which ends in May.

Kingz chairman Chris Turner said he was not aware the clearance had arrived from Germany.

"But if that's the case then Aaran will be available for selection on Friday."

Lines returned home to Christchurch a fortnight ago after six years in Germany with Werder Bremen and Osnabruck.

But he was forced to miss the Kingz' two defeats to Wollongong and Northern Spirit because his transfer had not been completed.

Kingz player-coach Wynton Rufer is keen to use Lines' skills and even took him to Sydney last Friday for the Spirit game in the hope he would be cleared in time.

- NZPA