Wellington Phoenix star Ben Old will take his talents abroad after being signed by newly promoted Ligue 1 outfit Saint-Etienne in France for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Saint-Etienne, the 10-time French champions and second most successful team in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain (12), have prised Old from the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League Semi-Finalists on a contract until 2028 with the option of a further season.
Old is the second Phoenix player to secure a “life-changing move to one of the world’s top leagues” on the back of Wellington’s historic campaign after Premier League club Bournemouth signed gun goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder’s departure ends his six-year relationship with Wellington, having joined the academy as a teenager in 2018.
“This move means so much to me,” said Old. “All of us young players aspire to go to Europe and see how far we can go in the game.
“One of my biggest goals is to play in the top five leagues for a long period of time.
“I honestly didn’t think it would be happening this early in my career but when Saint-Etienne came to my agent, and I was able to speak to them for the first time I was instantly hooked.
“Saint-Etienne are the second most successful club in French history and the fans are amazing so I can’t wait for it all to get started.”
New Zealand international Old enjoyed a breakout season with Giancarlo Italiano’s high-flying Phoenix in 2023-24.
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He featured in all 29 Isuzu UTE A-League games, scoring five goals and supplying four assists as Wellington came within a whisker of a maiden Grand Final berth after falling to Melbourne Victory.
As a result, Old was rewarded with A-Leagues All Stars Men’s selection as the competition’s best humbling Premier League giants Newcastle United 8-0 in May, with the attacker opening the scoring.
“The club (Wellington) has been so important to me and I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” said Old. “I’ve had my ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change anything.
“I want to thank the coaching staff, all of the players and all of the fans who’ve helped me get to where I am now.
“The club’s definitely going to be a part of my life for a long time and I’m going to make sure I’m still going to support the Phoenix and see how they go in the future.”
Wellington head coach Italiano added: “I always knew Oldie had the ability to get to the next level. It was more about getting his body right and making sure we built up his minutes so he could showcase his talent.
“He made the most of his chances, the right people were watching at the right time, and he deserves the move.
“When I took over one of the big strategies of the club was to make sure that we give these young players an opportunity to come into the environment and succeed.
“Oldie’s move aligns with everything that we’re doing and shows we’re on the right path.”
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Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said: “We’re stoked for Oldie and the Phoenix are proud to have helped him realise his dream of signing with a club in one of the world’s top five leagues.
“He’s the latest academy graduate to make the move to Europe and the coaches and staff at Fraser Park deserve a lot of credit for the role they’ve played in his development.
“We have built a world class high performance pathway at the Nix and we look forward to helping more players take the next step in their football careers.”
Saint-Etienne are back in the top flight after winning a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off against Metz in June.
The historic club had spent two seasons in France’s Ligue 2.
“Ben is a very young, courageous player who comes from the other side of the world and with whom we will have to be patient,” head coach Olivier Dall’Oglio said of Old.
“But he has the necessary abilities to bring something interesting.
“He is a hard-hitting profile, very generous in his efforts, who plays mainly on the left even if he can play in several positions.”
