Phoenix signs Irish striker for rest of season
THE Wellington Phoenix has signed Irish striker Cillian Sheridan for the remainder of the A League season.
Sheridan, a 1.96m striker, has split from Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok, where he scored 20 goals in 62 appearances.
Sheridan began his career at Scottish club Celtic before loan periods at other Scottish Premier League clubs and Plymouth Argyle, then in the English Championship.
After stints at Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia and Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock, Sheridan moved to Cypriot side APOEL FC in 2013.
He was instrumental in helping the side achieve a historic domestic treble in winning all three Cypriot Competition trophies.
The following season he was again key to APOEL’s success, scoring to help the team gain entry into the Uefa Champions League group stage, going on to play against Barcelona, Paris SaintGermain and Ajax.
Sheridan, who has had three caps for the Republic of Ireland, has scored 98 career goals thus far and Wellington Phoenix head coach Mark Rudan believes his abilities are the perfect fit to further assist the goalscoring pedigree of his side.
‘‘I’m constantly looking to challenge my players.
‘‘Competition for places is crucial and at this time of the season, it’s important to strengthen the squad and add quality,’’ Rudan said.
Sheridan has plenty of experience abroad and the offer to play
I have followed the ALeague and Wellington Phoenix are playing an attractive style
in another foreign country proved too good to pass up.
‘‘To play in another country with different challenges is always appealing to me.
‘‘I have followed the A League and Wellington Phoenix are playing an attractive style and for a footballer, you want to enjoy your football, and what Mark Rudan is doing really sold it to me.’’
Sheridan is in line to make his debut against Adelaide United tomorrow. — RNZ