Lutz Pfannenstiel's Avenue adventure ends on Monday when he boards a plane bound for a player-manager's role in New Zealand.

Bradford's German keeper closed the book on his brief but colourful second spell at Horsfall by conceding five goals against Ossett in Wednesday's disappointing League Challenge Cup defeat.

But the 29-year-old has nothing but positive memories of his time at the UniBond club and is desperate to get across how much he appreciates the support he has been given.

"I have not one bad thing to say about this club," said Pfannenstiel, who will return to Dunedin Technical for the start of their season next month.

"I had a nightmare against Bridlington and I was too eager for the Worksop game but think such good things about this club.

"I would like to thank everyone from the chairman down to the supporters for the way they have made me feel so welcome here.

"Of course, I have to thank Ray (Killick, the physio) for what he did for me on Boxing Day - no words can really describe how much he has done for me."

The sight of Killick giving Pfannenstiel the kiss of life on the pitch that day will be many fans' abiding memory of the likable German keeper.

But aside from his colourful past and eventful time at the club, Pfannenstiel will be remembered for his strengths as a goalkeeper.

"I'd like to thank Lutz for his time here," said manager Trevor Storton. "He is a great lad and a good keeper. We would like to wish him all the best for the future."

And the mutual appreciation is strong from the departing goalkeeper.

"Trevor is my real-life hero," said Pfannenstiel, who, as part of this three-year contract, will also be goalkeeping coach for Otago province.

"He gave me my chance here and is a really great guy. He has all the skills a manager needs and I think he is good enough to manage as high as a Division One club."

Pfannenstiel joined the club for his second spell after his German side went bust in the summer and put in some good performances, but he believes his future lies in coaching.

"This is an excellent opportunity for me to get into coaching," said the former Wimbledon and German youth international, who has also played in Singapore and Finland.

"The state of football in this country means I am unlikely to get a job with a league side so this is my best chance."

But Pfannenstiel, whose pregnant wife will join him later in the year when their first child is born, could still grace the penalty areas of the UniBond League.

He has a clause in his contract that if things don't work out in the New Zealand top flight, he can leave the club on a free during the transfer window.