Costa Rican international Kenny Cunningham touched down in Wellington this morning and will have his first training session with the Phoenix tomorrow.
Costa Rican international Kenny Cunningham touched down in Wellington this morning and will have his first training session with the Phoenix tomorrow.
Cunningham was met at the airport by his compatriot Carlos Hernandez who played a major role in the striker joining the Phoenix.
While tired after the long journey and a 10-hour stopover in Los Angeles, Cunningham, 28, was in good spirits and looking forward to meeting his new team-mates.
“Carlos has talked to me about Wellington and how much he is enjoying it,” Cunningham, who has signed a two-year contract, said.
“He had only good things to say about the city and the club and it will be easier for me to settle with him here.”
Having already played in Japan, Cunningham, a regular in the Costa Rican national side, said he wanted to get more experience of playing overseas.
Meanwhile Head Coach Ernie Merrick will make a call on Matt Thompson’s Phoenix future this week, saying the Hyundai A-League’s most capped player had done everything in his power to win a contract.
“He was terrific, Matt Thompson, and I’m amazed he hasn’t been snapped up already,” said Merrick after the team returned to Wellington following their 1-0 pre-season win over the Newcastle Jets.
“He’s a great person, a great leader and he couldn’t have done much more. He played good football, even though he’s not at full fitness. I’ll make a decision within a week.”
