All Whites striker Ben Waine joins English League One club Mansfield Town

New Zealand international forward Ben Waine has joined English League One club Mansfield Town on loan for the rest of the season.

Waine (23) is under contract to English Championship club Plymouth Argyle where he’s scored eight goals in 48 appearances since joining them from the Wellington Phoenix in December 2022.

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough said: “We’re very pleased to get Ben on board. He wanted an opportunity to go on loan and play some games.

“We received good references on him from the New Zealand manager and a few other contacts we have.

“When Chris Woods is injured for New Zealand, he’s the one who plays. and he’s also scored some goals for Wellington.

“He’s not had too many opportunities at Plymouth but we like what we’ve seen of him.”

Waine’s move went through in time for him to make his debut for Mansfield, coming off the bench late in their 1-1 draw against Stockport County.

The switch of clubs means Waine will continue to be managed by former English international strikers.

Main photo: Ben Waine … has joined Mansfield Town for the rest of the English season. Photo credit: Mansfield Town.

At Plymouth, his manager was Wayne Rooney while new boss Nigel Clough is a 14-cap former England player whose clubs included Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Waine, who played for the OlyWhites at the Paris Olympics, has been named in the New Zealand squad to play Mexico and the United States in early September.

However, his selection was announced before the move to Mansfield Town.

Head coach Darren Bazeley has added Auckland FC striker Logan Rogerson to the All Whites squad to bolster options in the attack.

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