The Wellington Phoenix have signed former A-League winner Stefan Colakovski ahead of the 2024-25 season, which kicks off next weekend.
Colakovski has experience with lifting the A-League trophy in 2021 with Melbourne City but most recently played for Perth Glory.
Colakovski spent two seasons in Perth and was released from the club to pursue an opportunity in Europe which didn’t come to fruition for the 24-year-old.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said he was pleased to secure Colakovski's signature after learning his off-shore endeavours weren't successful.
“It was good timing for us that Cola came back on to the market,” Italiano said. “We’ve always liked him and thought he’d be a good addition to the squad, so we’re happy we could make it work.
“Cola can do things that a lot of players can’t. He’s very effective, makes very good forward runs and gets in dangerous positions.
“Our job as a coaching staff is to refine his skillset, and we think we can get more out of him as well."
Phoenix forward Marco Rojas is expected to miss the start of the season with injury, so Colacovski provides cover in attacking positions for the Phoenix.
“We’re still going to build the team around Marco. We just felt it wasn’t fair to put the burden on our young guys straight away and expect them to bag a bunch of goals. We want to give them time and make these things occur naturally."
Colakovski scored six goals in 22 appearances for Perth last season.
“Playing and scoring in front of all the Phoenix fans is something I can’t wait to do," said Colacovski. “It’s always tough playing for the away team coming to Wellington, but now I’m on their side it’s going to be fun.
“The Yellow Fever create a top atmosphere and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone ripping their shirts off in the 80th minute.
“And playing under Chiefy is something I’m very excited for. I think the way he wants the team to play suits me and I think his coaching along with the strength of the squad can lead to some really exciting things this season.”
The Phoenix had their most successful A-League campaign last season, finishing second in the table before losing in the semi-final against Melbourne Victory.
Colakovski will wear the No. 11 jersey for the Phoenix, following the departure of Bozhidar Kraev, who left to play for Western Sydney Wanderers.
He is the 25th contracted player for the Phoenix for the 2024-25 A-League men's season, which kicks off with the Nix hosting Western United for their first match on October 20.
Wellington Phoenix 2024-25 A-League men's squad:
Goalkeepers: Alby Kelly-Heald, Josh Oluwayemi, Dublin Boon
Defenders: Isaac Hughes, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Sam Sutton, Scott Wootton, Tim Payne, Matthew Sheridan, Corban Piper, Jayden Smith.
Midfielders: Alex Rufer, Fin Conchie, Mohamed Al Taay, Paulo Retre, Kazuki Nagasawa
Forwards: David Ball, Kosta Barbarouses, Luke Supyk, Oskar van Hattum, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Marco Rojas, Luke Brooke-Smith, Hideki Ishige, Stefan Colakovski
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