Japanese defender Kazuma Kobayashi Nerang’s latest signing for Gold Coast Premier League

NERANG are rapidly firming as the favourites for next season’s Gold Coast Premier League after securing one of the competition’s biggest names from a fellow title heavyweight.

NERANG are rapidly firming as the favourites for next season’s Gold Coast Premier League after securing goalscoring defender Kazuma Kobayashi from title rivals Burleigh.

Chosen in the Gold Coast Select Team of the Year after bagging eight goals in Burleigh’s run to this year’s semi finals, 23-year-old Kobayashi has abandoned a potential NPL opportunity with the Brisbane Strikers to work with new coach Dave Benigno at Nerang.

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The Tokyo product joins fellow recruits Acim Tomic, Tolga Yorulmaz and Tim Jackson at Glennon Park, while Benigno is also keen to tap into the hugely-successful Academy of Football Australia based at Nerang.

Nerang coach Dave Benigno with new recruit Kazuma Kobayashi. Picture: Luke Sorensen

“Of course, not losing sight of the wealth of young talent that’s coming up and through at Nerang, I think Kaz will once again be a force to be reckoned with and worth watching,” Benigno said.

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“He’s probably the most aggressive Japanese player I’ve ever seen. Phelo (Burleigh coach Colin Phelan) said the same thing – that he’s an absolute beast for his physicality as a Japanese player.

“He also has an extremely strong mental will and want that affects everyone around him and I’m all about that. I think he’ll be exceptional on the field for Nerang.”