Veteran Football Fern Abby Erceg to Phoenix
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A star signing for the Wellington Phoenix with veteran Football Ferns defender Abby Erceg joing the side for the next A-League season.
Erceg is the fourth most capped Football Fern and has played at four World Cups.
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After leaving New Zealand in 2009 she played in Europe, Australia and the US where she played more than 200 matches in the National Women's Soccer League and captained three championship-winning NWSL teams.
For the past year, the 36-year-old has been playing in Mexico.
Head coach Bev Priestman, who lead the Phoenix to the A-League grand final last season, is delighted to add Erceg's "quality and experience" to the team.
"While we had an outstanding season we identified we need more experience and to continue to add winners to the team," Priestman said.
"In Abby we've got that. We've got a player who knows exactly what you need to be able to win at the highest level.
"She's just the player we need to ensure the club has sustained success."
Erceg said: "I want to give back to the game in New Zealand.
"It's been a goal of mine to come back and play and have my family and friends see me playing professionally week-in, week-out.
"I want to drive the awareness around women's football here and push that in the last couple of years of my career."
Erceg, who has signed a one-year deal, will move to Wellington later this month ahead of the start of pre-season training.
The Wellington Phoenix now have 17 women's players contracted for the 2026-27 A-League season.