FC Eaglehawk's latest import will bring years of experience playing soccer in the UK to his new team.
Craig Rennie, 23, was first introduced to the sport by his grandfather when he was six-years-old.
"He used to take me to watch Scottish Championship games and would take me for a kick every now and then," Rennie said.
Rennie was signed to a professional soccer academy in his hometown of Inverness, Scotland when he was 10-years-old, essentially the start of his career as a player.
After a few seasons with the academy, when he was 14-years-old he broke his leg during a match which cast doubt over his immediate future.
However, he was not going to let it stop him in his pursuit to play the game closest to his heart.
In his late teens Rennie played in England and then moved back to Scotland to play for Fort William FC in the Highland Football League.
But Rennie wanted something new, he is proud of what he accomplished playing in the UK, but when the offer to come play in Australia came up, it was a no-brainer.
"What could be better than playing in a hot country, " Rennie laughed.
"I heard about the league (BASL) through some friends and knew it was of a very high standard."
Hawks president Ben Pengelly said FC Eaglehawk was a development club which aspired to be the best it could be.
"We put the opportunity out to UK players to come play in Bendigo for a lifestyle change," Pengelly said.
"We help them with accommodation, employment and then they show their silky skills down at the park."
"Craig is a big coup for us - we know the level he has been playing in the UK and we're very excited to get him onto the park in the next few weeks."
Coach Greg Thomas said Rennie brought great knowledge of the game to the club.
"Most of the guys in the team have only played local amateur soccer leagues and to have a player from a semi-professional background always adds something different to the club," Thomas said.
Thomas said Rennie would most likely play an attacking role on the field.
With the team hampered by recent injuries - including an ACL tear for star player Alex Caldow - Thomas would soon decide where Rennie would "best fit into the side".
Rennie only arrived in Australia on Sunday morning and was greeted with open arms at his first training session on Tuesday.
"It's a scary experience travelling from one side of the world to another - but everyone has been so welcoming," Rennie said.
His code might be attuned to a round ball, but within hours of arrival he had already experienced his first AFL match, with a teammate taking him to the MCG to watch Hawthorn play North Melbourne.
And who did he barrack for? The Hawks of course.
FC Eaglehawk will play an away game this weekend against Shepparton South SC.
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