Greenyard Maaseik has strengthened itself with libero Landon Currie (24). The Canadian – who played for Nice before New Year – is the replacement for Martin Perin, who had to end his career due to heart problems.
On February 4, Martin Perin collapsed on the volleyball court for the second time in a year and a half. Again after heart failure. A few days later, the Maaseik libero – on the advice of his cardiologists – made the tough decision to quit volleyball. In the search for a replacement, Maaseik ended up with Landon Currie. A 24-year-old Canadian (1m75), who does not yet have many credentials. The libero played domestically for Tru Wolfpack and the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Last summer, Currie started his first European adventure with Nice, the number 12 in the French Ligue 1. But that marriage ended this winter, after which he returned to Canada where he trained with the university team. Now he moves to Maaseik, where he signed a contract until the end of the season.
Currie is also part of the Canadian team. For example, last summer he played against Belgium in the Olympic qualifying tournament in China. Belgium won 3-1, but Canada – unlike the Red Dragons – still qualified for the Games in Paris. Currie wants to secure his Olympic selection at Maaseik.
The Canadian will arrive in Maasland on Thursday – after an eight-hour flight – and may train for the first time. Greenyard will visit major rival Roeselare on Saturday (8:30 p.m.) on the penultimate match day of the regular competition. Currie is eligible to play in the Clasico. The question is whether coach Bertini will immediately throw him to the lions or opt to play a corner player (Iribarne or Hanzic) as a libero.
