Patterson raring to go for Phoenix
There were signs that Monty Patterson’s loan move to the Wellington Phoenix had been in the pipeline for a while.
A few weeks ago, Patterson liked a tweet that recommended the Phoenix to make a play for him.
He is off contract with Ipswich Town at the end of the current season and the Phoenix were looking to sign some Kiwis, so a return home made sense for both parties.
But the 21-year-old attacking midfielder said it was actually a very last minute decision to head out on loan to the A-league – the paperwork rushed through to beat the close of the transfer window.
‘‘It all got finalised on deadline day so it came around pretty quickly,’’ he said.
The 13-cap New Zealand international touched down in Wellington earlier this week ready to begin his new job. And it is clear he is here to establish himself as a first team player – something he failed to do in four seasons with Ipswich Town.
‘‘I was looking to go out and play some games at first team football level, and the Phoenix came up and I thought it was a great opportunity to go to a good league and get some experience,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s the only professional team in the country so it is quite special to come back and play in my home country and hopefully get my family and friends to come watch as well.’’
After emerging through the ranks at Eastern Suburbs, Patterson headed to the UK for a trial with Ipswich in 2013. It did not take long for the Championship club to offer him a professional contract.
Moving to the other side of the world as a teenager was a big step but it helped having All Whites team-mate Tommy Smith there to mentor him – although Smith has since moved to Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, who are understood to have shown interest in taking Patterson too.
‘‘He’s now gone to Colorado but it was good having him, with him almost taking me under his wing a little bit and showing me the way around the club, how things work and give me advice when I need it. He was a good role model to have.’’
Patterson found first-team opportunities hard to come by, making just one sole appearance in a League Cup game against Crystal Palace last year, and it appears unlikely that he will be re-signed at the completion of his loan.
Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic commented last week that Patterson has been brought in with a view to sign him on a long-term deal.
Patterson declared himself available for selection ahead of the Phoenix’s match game, away to Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday. Patterson will be joined in the match day squad by Andrija Kaljudjerovic, Roy Krishna and Sarpreet Singh, who all missed last week’s loss to Sydney FC through injury.