Wellington Phoenix have signed Costa Rican midfielder Youstin Salas on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The 27-year-old joins the league leaders on loan from reigning Costa Rican champions Deportivo Saprissa.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, Salas brings with him a wealth of international experience having played seven times for the Costa Rican national team including two appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“I come from being a three-time champion with Saprissa and I want to be a champion also with Wellington Phoenix,” said Salas after inking his short-term deal.
“That is my mentatlity.
“I can contribute a lot to the team. I consider myself a fast, technical footballer that gives his all in training and matches.
“Despite my height (1.73m) I am good aerially and tactically I am diligent.
“I am going to give my best effort and contribute as much as I can to the team.”
He added: “For a long time I have been waiting for such an opportunity to play outside my country.
“I want to be able to give my family a better quality of life
“I know that several Ticos have played in the A-League and a couple of them have played for the Phoenix.
“It is a very good and very competitive league and Wellington is a nice place.”
Salas’ arrival adds depth to a Wellington midfield which has excelled this season with captain Alex Rufer, Nicholas Pennington, Ben Old and Mohamed Al-Taay all contributing heavily to their side’s rise to the top of the league table.
“When I spoke to him his first goals was that he wants us to win the championship,” said Phoenix Head Coach Giancarlo Italiano.
“That was the first thing he said to me and I like that.
“He wants to win something and and create something special for the club.
“He’s a player with high amounts of energy, he’s technically very sound and he’s a winner by nature.
“Youstin’s a very decorated player. He’s won a lot of trophies.
“And importantly he can fill in across a number of positions.
“He has World Cup appearance as a right back, but he mostly plays as a six and he can fill in as a 10 if needed.”
Salas will join up with the Wellington Squad once his working visa is approved and will become the third Costa Rican to play for the Phoenix following in the footsteps of Kenny Cunningham and Carlos Hernandez.
Wellington currently sit two points clear at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder and face Brisbane Roar away at Suncorp Stadium in Round 15.
“The owners have decided to dip further into their pockets and extend the men’s squad budget to make this signing,” Phoenix General Manager David Dome said.
“They believe the team can achieve something special this season and want to give Chiefy the best chance to bring the A-League trophy back to Wellington.
“The team and the board can’t do it alone however. We now need the fans to get behind the
Phoenix like they did in our last home game against Melbourne Victory earlier this month.”
