Wellington Phoenix have signed triallist Mebae Tanaka ahead of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.
The Japanese winger with professional experience in her homeland and South Korea arrives form NPLW VIC runners-up Preston Lions, where she impressed in 2024.
Tanaka scored 10 goals in 18 matches for Preston, including a hat-trick before earning a trial with Wellington before the 28-year-old earned her first A-Leagues deal.
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“I’m so happy to sign a contract with the Phoenix,” Tanaka said. “I moved to Melbourne in April for the NPL season with the aim of playing in the A-League.
“I really enjoyed my time at Preston. They had a good coach and good people and they helped me a lot, especially with my English.
“A-League players are known for their strength and speed and I want to test myself against stronger and faster players.”
Tanaka added: “I am a technical player and like to dribble, play short passes, deliver crosses and do a lot of running.
“To start with I just want to play and then I want to score goals and assist others.”
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Tanaka is the 20th player confirmed in Wellington’s Ninja A-League squad this season.
She joins Carolina Vilão (Benfica), Olivia Fergusson, Aimee Danieli (scholarship contract), Ella McMillan (scholarship contract), Ela Jerez (scholarship contract), Ella McCann (scholarship contract), Grace Jale, Maya McCutcheon and Lara Wall (scholarship contract) as the new faces.
Rebecca Lake, Emma Main, Tiana Jaber, Alyssa Whinham, Olivia Ingham, Daisy Brazendale and captain Annalie Longo have also re-signed ahead of the team’s Round 1 opener at Western United on November 1.
“Mebae is coming off a strong season in the Victorian NPL,” said head coach Paul Temple. “She scored goals and has very good technical ability.
“Her background as a professional player in Japan and Korea also means she brings good professional experience with her into our environment.”
He continued: “We’ve got a strong squad already, so Mebae will add a lot of quality and competition for places.
“We saw last season that you can’t go a whole season with just your starting XI. You need quality in the squad, so she’ll play an important part across the whole season.
“Mebae will need a little time to adapt having not played in the A-League before but I’m excited with what she can bring to the team.”
