All Whites star Sarpreet Singh will be heading back to the Wellington Phoenix until the end of the season, the club has announced.
In a statement yesterday, the club confirmed the return of the attacking midfielder, who left in 2019 for German giants Bayern Munich. At the Phoenix's home game against Melbourne Victory last night, he emerged from the Sky Stadium tunnel wearing the club's yellow and black jersey.
Now signed with Serbian SuperLiga side Bačka Topola, the 26-year-old will come back to the club he debuted for until the end of the A-League season.
“I’m very happy to be back,” Singh said. “The club means a lot to me, and I can’t wait to get started and meet everyone.
“The most important thing for me is to be in an environment where I’m enjoying it, having fun and being able just be free on the field."
Singh came through the Phoenix academy, and during his stint in Europe, has played across Germany, Portugal, and Serbia.
“I feel like I left as a boy and I’m returning as a more mature player. Throughout those years, I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve had plenty of highs and a lot of lows as well.
“I’ve had to deal with many setbacks throughout my career, and I feel like with age, time and experience, I’ve learnt a lot, and I think I’m in a very good headspace and physically I’m very good as well.
“I feel like I’m a good age, I feel ready, and I feel like my best years are still ahead of me.”
The deal comes at an important time for both Singh and the Nix.
Singh will be hoping to secure his spot for the All Whites' trip to North America for this year's FIFA World Cup.
"For me to give myself the best opportunity to be part of the squad, I think I need to be playing minutes often, and I think the Phoenix can also help with that.”
The Nix will be hoping their signings of Singh and Norwegian Sander Kartum from the Scottish Premier League leaders Heart of Midlothian FC can help turn around a difficult season.
The team currently sits 10th on the table, four points off the playoffs.
The team lost 3-2 to Melbourne Victory at home last night.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano said Singh was a player he had tried to sign at the beginning of the season and was "going to try to build a team around".
"He’s very creative, he likes to dribble, and he’s a very smart player.
“Having a player like Sarpreet for the business end of the season could be a deciding factor in whether we make the finals or not.”
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