Tampa Bay Rowdies central midfielder Jeremy Christie was the bolter selected in New Zealand's World Cup squad on Monday.

The 26-year old, who joined the USSF Division 2 club in January, has seemingly come from nowhere to be included in Ricki Herbert's All Whites final squad for the tournament in South Africa which kicks off next month.

Before joining Tampa Bay, Christie had spent almost his entire career in his homeland apart from spells in England with Barnsley back in 1999 and in Australia with the Perth Glory in 2006 but Herbert said he was always thereabouts in regards to national team selection.

"Jeremy has always been on the radar and I have kept in close contact with his coach at Tampa Bay,'' Herbert said. "He has gone offshore to challenge himself and that has been good for him. ... We believe he will offer a great deal to the squad.''

Joining Christie in the All Whites squad is New York Red Bull defender Andrew Boyens and former LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Simon Elliott.