Wellington Phoenix have signed a second Australian player in a week with defender Daniel Mullen joining the club for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Head here for Wellington’s official website
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
►Mullen has signed with Phoenix on a one-year deal.
►He has more than 100 Hyundai A-League games to his name in stints at Adelaide United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets.
►Mullen has one cap for the Caltex Socceroos, while also featuring for Australia’s U-20 and U-23 teams.
►The 27-year-old will add great experience and depth to Wellington’s defence and will begin full training with the club in coming weeks.
NEW COACHING TEAM EXCITES MULLEN
“When I left the Jets there was interest from a few different A-League clubs, as well as teams overseas, but either the club or the country wasn’t quite what I was looking for at this stage of my career,” he said.
“I spoke to Romeo Castelen who said only praise about Darije, he told me he’s an excellent professional who will demand a lot of you, but is also a good football person, who will look to play a style of football that appeals to me.”
“I also knew about Rado’s reputation, so when the offer came it only took a matter of days. I’m grateful to the club, and I look forward to repaying that faith in me.”
EXPERIENCE WILL BOOST PHOENIX
“Daniel is a vastly experienced defender, who will bring a wealth of expertise to our club,” assistant coach Rado Vidosic said.
“He is primarily a centre back but has had great success in wide areas. He’s formidable in the air, very sound at set pieces, he’s a great marker, but is also very comfortable on the ball, which is a crucial component of how we want to play.
“Daniel brings competitiveness, he has a great work-ethnic and temperament, a combativeness that can only improve our squad and the competition for places.
“We want two players for every position – in November we could have Scott Galloway, Tom Doyle, Andrew Durante all away on international duty at once, so we are very fortunate to sign a player of Daniel’s quality.”
