Western Sydney Wanderers recruit Chris Herd aiming for more honours with Socceroos

AFTER spending over a decade in England, Chris Herd is hoping his return to Australia will help him achieve more goals — one of which is a return to the Socceroos.

Taiseer Aljassam of Saudi Arabia tries to tackle Chris Herd of Australia during the International Friendly match between Saudi Arabia v Australia at Craven Cottage on September 8, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

AFTER spending over a decade in England, Chris Herd is hoping his return to Australia will help him achieve more goals — one of which is a return to the Socceroos.

Herd, 28, joined the Wanderers during the off season and says it’s been an “easy transition” from England to Western Sydney.

He made over 40 appearances for Aston Villa, the English club he joined as a teenager, before being sent out on several loan spells including to Bolton, Wigan and Wycombe.

Herd has also been capped three times for the Socceroos and was included in the Asian Cup squad, but injury forced him out before the tournament began.

Herd made 40 appearances for Aston Villa. Pic: Getty

And had loan stints at three other clubs. Pic: Getty

While he is focused on the Wanderers, Herd is hopeful his performances will lead to a return to the national stage.

“Definitely. That’s something that I think every Aussie player wants to be involved in,” he said. “I’ve been involved in the past and I would like to get myself back into the squad. First of all I’ve got to do well for Western Sydney and then everything will take care of itself if I can perform for the boss and the club.”

Having left Australia as a teenager, Herd says his time in England has shaped him as a person and a player but he insists there is still more to come from him.

His goal is to add to his Socceroos appearances. Pic: Getty Images

“I moved over as a 15-year-old with a mate that plays at Perth Glory now, Shane Lowry. It was a big experience and it’s made me who I am today,” Herd said. “It’s made me stronger, a better person and a better player. I’m only 28, I can still improve — there’s still more to come.

“I don’t have any regrets. There are things I still want to achieve in my career, so I’m just hoping to do that at Western Sydney.”

Herd actually signed for Perth Glory last season, but left without kicking a ball for family reasons and joined League One side Gillingham. After being he released he trialled with the Wanderers and is pleased everything worked out.

Herd has already appeared for Wanderers in the FFA Cup. Pic: Getty Images

“I spoke to the manager and we agreed to see if it would work out for the both me. Thankfully it has and I ended up signing,” Herd said. “I think the management and the players, and the club as a whole, was the biggest factor in me coming back. It was the right club in the A-League for me.”

Regarded as a utility player, Herd is happy to play anywhere across the midfield and in defence, but he does have a preferred position.

“Holding midfielder, but I can play in a number of positions,” he said. “So wherever the boss sees me I’ll do my job.”