As Queensland clubs continue to announce signings ahead of the 2020 season, three of the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL)’s biggest names are making the step up to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland.
FQPL Team of the Season entrant Frederick Yinka-Kehinde will join 2019 Grand Finalists Olympic FC for the 2020 season from Holland Park Hawks.
The dynamic attacker scored 12 goals in 15 matches this year to earn his place in the Team of the Season, and will now look to continue this form as he joins the NPL Queensland.
A former captain of NPL ACT side Woden Weston, Yinka-Kehinde said he was looking forward to working under the guidance of coach Ben Cahn as he makes the step up from the FQPL to the NPL Queensland.
“When Ben talked to me he gave me a vision of what he’s trying to do here, and I thought that aligned with what I wanted to do,” Yinka-Kehinde told Olympic FC.
“Ben didn’t just say he wanted me, he explained how he wanted me and the way he wanted to insert me into the team, he gave me the full picture.
“Most of the teams I’ve played for have always been underdogs, coming to Olympic it’s definitely a case of rising to the challenge.
“Playing for a big club like this is going to put me in the mentality of every game is a must-win and it’s the type of mentality I need to have if I want to be a winner.”
2019 FQPL Goalkeeper of the Year Chris Parsons meanwhile is making the step up to the NPL Queensland after signing with Brisbane City for the 2020 season.
Parsons recorded three clean sheets for Ipswich Knights this year to make four appearances in the FQPL Team of the Week, and also earned a spot in the 2019 Team of the Season thanks to his shot-stopping form.
With Brisbane City yet to announce any other signings, time will tell who will join Parsons for the 2020 season.
Former Lions FC and Brisbane City striker Carter Glockner will return to the NPL Queensland in 2020 after recently signing with Moreton Bay United.
Glockner scored 18 goals in as many matches for Mitchelton in 2019 to earn a spot in the Team of the Season after a stellar year for his side, where he finished third in the Golden Boot race.
The 25-year-old said he was looking forward to returning to the NPL Queensland and working alongside newly-signed coach Royce Brownlie after a year in the FQPL.
“Getting back in the NPL was obviously a factor [in the move], and being able to work with Royce,” Glockner told Moreton Bay United.
“I’m excited and can’t wait to get into it. It is a step up, but I just want to do the best I can. I want to bring the form I had last year and try to do it all over again – but better.
“Royce said to just enjoy my football and try to score as many goals as I can. I don’t want to put a number on it next season. I’ll keep things simple and try to score as many as I can in every game I play.”