Scott Wootton has only featured in seven Isuzu UTE A-League matches but the former Manchester United defender has done enough to earn a new three-year deal with Wellington Phoenix.
Wootton joined Phoenix on a short-term contract until the end of the 2021-22 A-League Men campaign, having arrived from Morecambe in January.
But the 30-year-old Englishman, who emerged from United’s youth system in 2010 before leaving the Premier League giants three years later, has quickly established himself in Wellington’s starting XI.
“I think we can all see Scott’s impact since he’s come into the squad,” said Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay. “He’s been a leader in our backline which has helped us get the results that we didn’t get previously.
“He’s got a wealth of experience from playing overseas and I think that’s what we were lacking at the start of the season.
“He’s a great age as well and I think he’s going to be a good prospect for us moving forward.”
Wootton, who has also played for Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, said: “When I came here obviously I didn’t just want to come for the end of the season, I wanted to stay.
“I knew very, very quickly after being here with the squad, seeing the quality and how things are done over here that I wanted to stay for as long as possible, so for the club to commit to me for the next three years is something I’m chuffed to bits with.”
“I’m really looking forward to paying that faith back and giving my all for the club over the next three years every day at training and in every game,” he added.
“As a player that’s how you repay the faith shown in you, keep the standards high every day and see the team and the club progress.
“I want to help the young players in that period as well because we’ve got some good young players at the club.”
The Finals-chasing Phoenix are seventh in the ALM and three points behind sixth-placed Melbourne Victory, who have played match more.
