Ben Sigmund

Benjamin Robert Sigmund (born 3 February 1981[2]) is a New Zealand former international footballer. He represented New Zealand at under-17, under-20 and senior level.

Ben Sigmund
Sigmund playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2008
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Robert Sigmund
Date of birth (1981-02-03) 3 February 1981
Place of birth Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand
Position(s) Centre Back
Youth career
–1998 Christchurch United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2002 Christchurch United[1] 76 (14)
2003–2004 Football Kingz 1 (0)
2004–2006 Canterbury United 83 (7)
2006 Fawkner Blues 11 (1)
2006–2008 Auckland City 43 (5)
2008–2016 Wellington Phoenix 181 (7)
2016 Wellington Phoenix Reserves 1 (0)
2016 Cashmere Technical
National team
1999 New Zealand U17 3 (0)
New Zealand U20 12 (0)
2000–2014 New Zealand 31 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Born in Blenheim, Sigmund spent his early career with Football Kingz, Canterbury United, Fawkner Blues and Auckland City. He signed for the Wellington Phoenix in 2008.[3] On 9 July 2012 he signed a two-year contract extension keep him with the club until 2015.[4]

On 18 December 2015, Sigmund announced that he would retire from professional football at the end of the season.[5][6]

He subsequently joined amateur side Cashmere Technical in 2016.[7]

International career

Sigmund made his senior international debut as a substitute in August 2000 against Oman, but did not earn a second cap until 2007,[8] where he earned a call up to play Wales in Wrexham after nearly seven years in the football wilderness. On 6 September 2008 Sigmund scored his first international goal in a 3–1 win over New Caledonia with a header from a corner.[8]

Sigmund was named as part of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup New Zealand squad to travel to South Africa,[9][10] and was more recently in the side the beat Bahrain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match on 14 November 2009.

On 10 May 2010, Sigmund was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[11]

On 29 September 2014, Sigmund retired from international football citing his desire to spend more time with his family.[12]

Honours

Personal Honours:

References
  1. Smith, Tony (13 November 2009). "All Whites pair united by Christchurch". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  2. Ben Sigmund at Soccerway
  3. Phoenix Sign Sigmund As Final Defender
  4. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1112586/Sigmund-extends-Phoenix-stay%5B%5D
  5. Bidwell, Hamish (18 December 2015). "Wellington Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund to retire at end of A-League season". Stuff.co.nz.
  6. Hyslop, Liam (8 April 2016). "Ben Sigmund's colourful professional football career comes to an end". Stuff.co.nz.
  7. "Sigmund looks to sign off with cup glory". Football New Zealand. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  8. "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  9. "New Zealand – All Whites name Confederations Cup squad". Oceania Football confederation. 7 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009.
  10. "2009 Confederations Cup – New Zealand squad". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  11. "All Whites World Cup squad named". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  12. Gray, Russell (29 September 2014). "Sigmund Calls Time on All Whites Career". Football Federation Australia.
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 2009-08-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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