Oskar van Hattum Joins South Island United in New League

Striker Oskar van Hattum has officially joined South Island United, marking a significant moment in his career and for his family. Van Hattum’s uncle, Frank van Hattum, was part of the historic Christchurch United team in the early 1980s and played for the All Whites during the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. “It’s cool to have an uncle who’s also an All White, probably the more well-known van Hattum, but it’s great to have that connection of him also playing down in Christchurch,” he said.

The 23-year-old forward recently completed a stint with Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League. Following the Winnipeg club’s closure last month, he has signed with South Island United, which is entering the new OFC Pro League. Van Hattum expressed enthusiasm about the league, stating, “I think it’s a pretty exciting league to be involved in, and I’m excited to see how it goes. Hopefully, we’ll do well, and I can’t wait to get started.”

A Promising Career

Van Hattum’s football journey includes playing for Sligo Rovers in Ireland and achieving notable success in youth tournaments. He won the Golden Boot at the national under-14 tournament in 2016, which led to his invitation to the Wellington Phoenix Academy. He was also a member of the New Zealand under-17 squad that competed in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, participating in all three group matches.

After five years with the Phoenix reserves, he made his debut for the first team in December 2021 during an FFA Cup match against Western United. Just two weeks later, he played his first game in the A-League against Sydney FC. Over his four seasons in the A-League, Van Hattum amassed 41 appearances.

Experience and Expectations

The CEO of South Island United, Ryan Edwards, highlighted Van Hattum’s experience, stating, “Oskar is still relatively young but has been in a professional set-up for many years, in New Zealand and overseas, so he will bring a lot of knowledge to a group in which many embark on their first season as a professional.”

Van Hattum has also represented the All Whites, earning two caps during the 2022 OFC Nations Cup in Vanuatu, where the team emerged victorious. Additionally, he was part of the New Zealand squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics, playing in three group matches.

As Van Hattum embarks on this new chapter with South Island United, he aims to leverage his extensive experience and contribute to the team’s success in the OFC Pro League. His family legacy, combined with his personal achievements, sets a promising foundation for his future in professional football.