Former Wellington captain Ulises Davila has played a key role in convincing friend and fellow Mexican playmaker Gael Sandoval to join the A-League Men side on loan.
Sandoval was teammates with the now-Macarthur captain at Liga MX club Santos Laguna, and Davila will help his 26-year-old countryman settle into life in NSW, where the Phoenix are currently based.
“I talked with Ulises before I talked with the Phoenix,” Sandoval said.
“Uli has told me the team is great, New Zealand is great…and it’s a good life.
“He explained about everything; the team, the coach, the city and he supported me.”
Sandoval can start training with his new teammates after he has self-isolated for 72 hours and returned a negative COVID-19 test, but can’t play in the ALM until the transfer window opens on January 14.
The creative midfielder/winger made 119 appearances in Liga MX for the likes of Santos Laguna, Guadalajara, Chivas, FC Juarez and Mazatlan since 2016, scoring seven goals.
That included winning the league with Santos Laguna in 2015 and the CONCACAF Champions League with Guadalajara in 2018.
“It’s been a goal for me to play in another country and my dream to play outside of Mexico,” Sandoval said.
“I’m hungry and I want to help the Phoenix win the title.
“I feel so good. I want to play to win and to help the team.”
Wellington are 10th in the league with one win from their opening five games.
Their next fixture is on Monday at the Central Coast Mariners.
