The Wellington Phoenix have found their new number one for the 2024-25 A-League men's season in the form of English-Nigerian goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi.
Oluwayemi has joined the Nix from Finnish club FC Lahti, and takes up one of the clubs import slots for the season.
The Phoenix needed a replacement goalkeeper for outgoing star Alex Paulsen, who signed for Bournemouth in the English Premier League before being sent on loan to new A-League club, Auckland FC last week.
The 23-year-old came through Tottenham Hotspur's academy system playing for them at under-18 and under-23 level, but left in 2022 without making an appearance for their top side.
Oluwayemi joins fellow Englishmen David Ball and Scott Wootton at the Wellington club. He represented England at under-15 level but was called up to Nigeria’s national team in 2021.
He said he saw clips of how the Phoenix played last season and that helped convince him to make the move from Europe.
"Seeing their game style and the quality is what really compelled me to come over to play on the other side of the world," said Oluwayemi. "I’m chuffed to be joining a bunch of lads that have quality and a team that have done so well.
"Before the move to Finland I had other options within the UK, but I wanted to challenge myself and show another side of my football that I think I possess.
"I’m excited to get to work, play my heart out for the fans, and show what I’m about."
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano likes to use a "sweeper" keeper, playing out from the back with good use of their feet.
"Josh has a fantastic presence. He’s got a good command of his box, communicates well and is very good with his feet," Italiano said.
"Being able to play out from the back was a big factor when we looked at goalkeepers. Stylistically I’m not going to change as a coach and it’s very important we keep building on what we did last season."
Replacement goalkeeper Jack Duncan also left the Phoenix's squad to sign with Melbourne Victory, leaving 19-year-old Alby Kelly-Heald as the last shot-stopper at the club.
On a scholarship contract, Kelly-Heald made his debut for the Nix in their Australia Cup tie last week, as they went down 1-0 to South Melbourne FC with a squad that heavily featured reserves and academy graduate players.
Oluwayemi joins Marco Rojas, Paulo Retre and Luke Brooke-Smith as the fourth signing of the off-season for the Nix.
The Phoenix now have 19 contracted first team players, just nine weeks out from the start of the new season.
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