AUCKLAND – All Whites striker Jeremy Brockie is crediting New Zealand’s Olympic campaign for a return to the professional ranks with A-League expansion club North Queensland Fury.

Brockie (21) rediscovered his passion, confidence, and his scoring touch over the course of New Zealand’s build up – netting seven times in 11 matches – before adding a thunderous strike against China as a ten-man kiwi U-23 side claimed a point against the hosts on their Olympic debut.

“I think a lot of credit needs to go to the Olympic coaching staff, [head coach] Stu Jacobs, [assistant coach] Jonathan Gould, and [trainer] Andy Smith,” Brockie said.

“They wanted me to get back playing professionally almost more than anyone, and it was those three that really pushed me during the Olympic build-up. I have a lot to thank them for.”

Brockie will join the Townsville-based club in time for their debut 2009-10 season, after finishing the current New Zealand Football Championship with Team Wellington under Jacobs.

The move will mark a return to the A-League for the former New Zealand Knights and Sydney FC striker, whose professional career was curtailed by his release from the glamour Australian club at the end of the 2006-07 season.

A homecoming of sorts to the NZFC last season under Jonathan Gould at Hawke’s Bay United helped Brockie regain the form that helped spark the Oly-Whites on the Road to Beijing.

Fury chairman Don Matheson was on hand to witness the Oly-Whites’ 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners in July, and kept tabs on Brockie before contacting him about "a month ago."

“He saw me play against the Central Coast Mariners and thought I deserved another chance in the A-League after not getting much of one with Sydney.

"It’s really exciting – I can’t wait.”

Brockie’s signing was one of five confirmed by the Fury on Saturday with current Sydney FC trio Robbie Middleby, Brendon Santalab and Jacob Timpano joining Newcastle Jets captain Jade North in Townsville next season.

Next up for Brockie is a trip to Lautoka with Ricki Herbert’s All White squad for the dead rubber against Fiji in Lautoka on Wednesday night. Having only recently won his place back in the national team as the All Whites sealed qualification to the Confederations Cup with back-to-back victories over New Caledonia in September, the eight-cap striker will now be expected to lead the line in the absence of Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz.

Story provided by NZF Media. For more visit www.nzsoccer.com