Northern Rangers have stiffened their defensive line, bringing in two boom recruits from outside Tasmania in Nick Swirad and Joel Sanderson.

The talented pair has the club excited, with their inclusions set to bolster the Northern Rangers in their pursuit of the 2015 Playstation 4 Victory League title.

Swirad is a tall english central defender with a good pedigree, playing much of his football at FC United of Manchester. He has also played at the lower levels of English football with the likes of Stocksbridge Park stills, New Mills FC, Ashton United and Mossley.

The Northern outfit’s new signing has recently coached in USA and said he leapt at the opportunity to play in Tasmania.

“I went through Soccer Smart in England, I fancied another different experience after New York,” Swirad said.

“Tasmania is somewhere a bit different really and it seemed like a nice new adventure, looked a good league and an exciting opportunity, so I went for it,” he said.

The 23 year old landed in Launceston last Friday but is battling a knee injury and is unlikely to debut until Round 5.

“It is picturesque here looks like a nice place to live and play football,” Swirad said.

“I’ve done my medial ligament about a month ago so I am recovering from that, should be back for next Saturday.

“Met the lads they all seem quality and Dane (Hudson) and Brendan (Lichtendonk) have been superb, it seems like a great club to be a part of with a great club philosophy.”

The club’s other new arrival Joel Sanderson had his first taste of the PS4 Victory on the weekend, thrown straight into the deep end in Northern Rangers’ 2-2 draw with ladder leaders, Hobart Jeep Zebras. 

“It was pretty tough, coming up against the Zebras, who were undefeated and I hadn’t really done anything and getting thrown into it was a bit full on straight up but managed to get through unscathed,” said Sanderson.

Sanderson is a talented utility with a background in representative teams, he has crossed from the New South Wales National Premier Leagues competition, he was looking for a sea change and was keen to play football at a decent level.

“One of my old coaches from when I was at North Tigers put me in contact with Donk (Brendan Lichtendonk) cause they (Northern Rangers) were looking for players, I was looking for a new opportunity and it looked like a bit of fun,” said Sanderson.

“It is beautiful down here and the quality of football is just as good as New South Wales,” added Sanderson.

The 24 year old is only fresh into Tasmanian football but is fitting in well with the Rangers and is hopeful they can contend for silverware in 2015.

“Gelling well with the boys, live with two of the boys, both overseas fellas and they have been great for me, everyone is really welcoming and open.

“I definitely think we could be up there, from what I’ve seen all of the players have the individual skill it is just about coming together as a team, from the results on the weekend and the talk amongst the boys it seems to be a very open league at the moment.”

Northern Rangers take on bottom placed Devonport Strikers at Valley Road this Saturday from 2:00PM.