Krishna extends stay with Phoenix
Questions over Roy Krishna’s Wellington Phoenix future have been put to bed with the Fijian signing a one-year extension to his contract.
The 30-year-old was off contract at the end of the current season, but will now stay with the club until at least the end of next season.
He had been the subject of speculation after missing three games after complaining of muscle soreness, despite Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic saying two specialists had found nothing wrong with him. His manager, Rex Dawkins, said the club had rejected a big money offer from Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.
It led some to suggest he was fabricating an injury so he would not trigger an automatic extension on his contract after playing 15 games this season. He has played 13 so far, scoring four goals, with five assists.
He is the club’s second alltime leading scorer with 32 in 87 games and could move past Paul Ifill (33) by the end of the season. He has also taken the captain’s armband at times this season.
Phoenix general manager David Dome said in a statement the re-signing of Krishna was great news both for the club and its fans.
‘‘In a difficult season on the pitch Roy has been one of the standout performers for the club and it’s a tremendous sign of his loyalty to the club and his fellow teammates that Roy has recommitted to the club.
‘‘There has been plenty of speculation about both local and overseas clubs being eager to secure his services but both Roy and the club have pulled out all stops to ensure he remains a Phoenix player – we’re delighted that fans will get to see Roy in the yellow and black for at least another year.’’
Dome said Krishna had cooperated fully with the club’s requests to attend specialist appointments during his recent injury run.
‘‘He was a chance to play last weekend and desperate to do so but from a medical and sport science perspective he would have been a high risk of re-injury given the reduced training loads over the last fortnight.’’
Krishna said in a statement supplied by the club that he was happy to focus on the job ahead.
‘‘I’d like to give thanks to my family, my manager and to all the loyal fans who have been giving me such lovely messages in the last few weeks.
‘‘Wellington is like a second home to me, we needed to make a decision and now I can just get back to doing what I love and what I do best.’’