Youthful f lavour at Phoenix
At the beginning of the week, Cameron Devlin was still holding out for a new contract from Sydney FC.
In his post-season review with coach Steve Corica, the 21-year-old midfielder was told the A-League champions were keen to keep him around after making seven appearances off the bench throughout the 2018-19 campaign. However, at that stage they were not prepared to table a new deal.
So when Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay called on Tuesday to offer him a two-year contract, he jumped at the opportunity.
Devlin flew to Wellington yesterday morning and was soon unveiled by the club as its latest signing – becoming the eighth player aged 23 or under on a youthful looking roster that includes four teenagers.
‘‘It’s actually crazy how it happened. I’m still wrapping my head around it,’’ said Devlin, who adds some much needed depth in central midfield.
‘‘I had a whole off-season not knowing what I was doing. I was at Sydney last year and I was told they were keen to keep me but they just couldn’t offer me a contract at that time.
‘‘Then literally 48 hours ago Ufuk gave me a call, and I hadn’t spoken to him at all, and he said he’d like me to come to Wellington.
‘‘I said ‘yeah I’d love to’. I was interested straight away. I spoke to my family and friends and a few people who I’m close with who had been to Wellington and no-one had a bad word to say.
‘‘It’s crazy how it all unfolded but I’m excited and I’m ready to
go.’’
A member of the Young Socceroos squad in 2015, Devlin also made one appearance for Sydney in the Asian Champions League earlier this year, playing against former All Whites defender Michael Fitzgerald’s Kawasaki Frontale, and one appearance in the FFA Cup last year.
After his phone call from Talay, Devlin said he went back to Sydney to tell them he was considering another offer. It was only then that they stumped up with a new deal for the youngster, who actually scored a goal despite his limited game time last season. However, he had already made up his mind.
‘‘They weren’t sure at the start but after a day they ended up offering me another contract but I just felt that coming to the Phoenix was a step in the right direction for me and a new challenge and a fresh start,’’ he said.
‘‘Obviously Ufuk being the assistant coach at Sydney FC last year, I learned a hell of a lot off him. He’s actually a really good coach and a really good person more importantly.’’
Following on from Devlin’s signing, the Phoenix are expected to announce Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila as their first new import signing later this week.