Phoenix first team sign up 16yearold
WELLINGTON: The youngest Wellington Phoenix player to debut in the men’s ALeague has signed on for the club’s first team at the age of 16.
Gabriel SloaneRodrigues, who has represented New Zealand at under17 level, made his debut for the Phoenix when he came on as a late substitute in their 10 loss to Melbourne City last month.
Now, three months before his 17th birthday, he is joining the first team on a threeyear contract.
‘‘It’s been a big dream of mine since I joined the academy,’’ SloaneRodrigues said.
‘‘I didn’t think it would come this quickly. I’m obviously over the moon about it.’’
SloaneRodrigues shifted to Wellington to join the Phoenix academy when he was just 14. He had played junior football with East Coast Bays AFC and Auckland United FC, before moving to the capital with his mum, Donna.
SloaneRodrigues will become the seventh player to graduate from the academy into the first team since Giancarlo Italiano took over as head coach.
He started training with the first team during the preseason after Italiano spotted him playing for the Phoenix thirds.
‘‘I felt as though he had a little bit of xfactor about him,’’ Italiano said.
‘‘He was doing things different to what the other players were.
‘‘He was taking on players, dribbling, switching the ball on the run and I just felt like he had a point of difference, and I liked it.
‘‘He needs time, but after two years in this environment he’ll be flying.
The Phoenix guaranteed themselves a toptwo finish in the ALeague for the first time with a 10 win over their nearest rivals Melbourne Victory last Friday night. They play Newcastle Jets this Friday with a chance of winning the minor premiership.