New Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay has continued his policy of signing youngsters by bringing in midfielder Cameron Devlin from Sydney FC.
The 21-year-old, who made seven substitute appearances for the Sky Blues in their championship-winning season last term, was out of contract.
Sydney FC wanted to keep him for next season but were stalling over a new deal, so the Phoenix stepped in with a two-year offer.
Devlin has become the eighth player aged 23 or under in Wellington's squad, which includes four teenagers.
He said: "I had a whole off-season not knowing what I was doing. I was at Sydney last year and I was told they were keen to keep me but they just couldn't offer me a contract at that time."
The central midfielder already knew Talay, who had been assistant to Steve Corica last season at the Sky Blues.
After speaking to the new Phoenix coach on the phone, he went back to Corica to say he was considering another offer.
"They weren't sure at the start but after a day they ended up offering me another contract but I just felt that coming to the Phoenix was a step in the right direction for me and a new challenge and a fresh start," he said.
Speaking of Talay, he added: "He's actually a really good coach and a really good person more importantly. He's got a lot of time for young players, he's coached a lot of young international teams and he was really good to me, so as soon as I heard he was interested in me it, and the offer he threw at me, it was one I couldn't really pass up."
Wellington are expected to announce Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila as their first new import signing later this week.
Wellington Phoenix are 25/1 to win the 2020 Grand Final.
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New Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay has continued his policy of signing youngsters by bringing in midfielder Cameron Devlin from Sydney FC.
The 21-year-old, who made seven substitute appearances for the Sky Blues in their championship-winning season last term, was out of contract.
Sydney FC wanted to keep him for next season but were stalling over a new deal, so the Phoenix stepped in with a two-year offer.
Devlin has become the eighth player aged 23 or under in Wellington's squad, which includes four teenagers.
He said: "I had a whole off-season not knowing what I was doing. I was at Sydney last year and I was told they were keen to keep me but they just couldn't offer me a contract at that time."
The central midfielder already knew Talay, who had been assistant to Steve Corica last season at the Sky Blues.
After speaking to the new Phoenix coach on the phone, he went back to Corica to say he was considering another offer.
"They weren't sure at the start but after a day they ended up offering me another contract but I just felt that coming to the Phoenix was a step in the right direction for me and a new challenge and a fresh start," he said.
Speaking of Talay, he added: "He's actually a really good coach and a really good person more importantly. He's got a lot of time for young players, he's coached a lot of young international teams and he was really good to me, so as soon as I heard he was interested in me it, and the offer he threw at me, it was one I couldn't really pass up."
Wellington are expected to announce Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila as their first new import signing later this week.
Wellington Phoenix are 25/1 to win the 2020 Grand Final.
Source: bet365.com