Wellington Phoenix have prised young gun Macey Fraser back to the Ninja A-League club.
Fraser returns to Wellington on a three-year contract following the record-breaking academy graduate’s release from NWSL outfit Utah Royals in the United States last week.
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The 23-year-old New Zealand international was one of the first women to join the Phoenix academy in 2021 and finalised a record transfer to the National Women’s Soccer League club in April last year after a breakout maiden season as a professional.
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“It’s been on my mind for a while to return to the Phoenix,” said Fraser, who scored three goals and supplied five assists for the Phoenix in 2023-24 as she earned selection for last year’s Olympic Games. “I have a bit of unfinished business at the club.
“I grew up watching the Phoenix with my family and I’m really grateful for them giving me my start in professional football. To win a league with the Phoenix is my dream.
“Obviously I haven’t had the minutes I wanted at Utah Royals. It’s important for me to get back playing football again.
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“I looked at my options and I said I just want to go somewhere I can completely focus on my football and not worry about a language barrier or moving to a new place, so I thought why not go back to the Phoenix.
“They’ve got an amazing list of signings and an amazing coach so it feels like the right decision.”
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Fraser added: “It’s been a rollercoaster, but I have learned so much and I wouldn’t change it
at all.
“I’ve grown so much as a person and as a player at Utah Royals and I’ve played with and against some of the best players in the world.
“I feel really lucky that I got to come here and play in this league and I’m excited to bring some of that experience back to the Phoenix.”
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Fraser’s Phoenix comeback adds to Wellington’s formidable off-season which has seen the club build a side, seen by many, as a Championship contender.
Having appointed former Canada head coach Bev Priestman in a huge coup, the Phoenix have also recruited Lucia Leon, Ellie Walker, Tessel Middag, Victoria Esson, Sabitra Bhandari, CJ Bott and Marisa van der Meer.
They have re-signed Emma Main, Mackenzie Barry and Grace Jale.
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“For someone of Macey’s calibre to want to come back to the Phoenix speaks to where the club is heading and the people in the building,” Priestman said.
“Macey’s quality speaks for itself and I look forward to integrating her back in.
“She can play higher up the pitch and deeper, and having that flexibility in midfield depending on who we’re playing and who she’s playing alongside will really benefit us.
“We really do have a whole squad and a bench that can be used week to week and Macey’s certainly going to add to that.”
The Phoenix, meanwhile, have one visa spot available and Priestman said: “We want to make sure we get the right character and the right attributes through the door, and we’re taking our time to do that, even if it means waiting.
“The ability to invest in that visa spot is there so we want to make sure that we maximise whatever we’ve got available and enhance the squad even more.”
