Nichols keen to resurrect stalled career at Nix

Mitch Nichols has a point to prove and he’s hoping a two-year deal with the Wellington Phoenix will give him the chance do just that.

The Australian midfielder’s career has come to a standstill in the past 12 months following his mid-2017 arrest for cocaine possession. His twoyear contract with the Perth Glory was mutually terminated after just eight months for “family reasons”.

Out of the footballing environment since February, Nichols said he was ready to get back on the pitch and prove his doubters wrong.

“Everyone’s always got a point to prove,” Nichols said. “I did make a mistake and paid for that . . . but I’ve always got a point to prove, so my football can do the talking — win games, score goals — and everyone can talk about that.

“Everyone writes the Nix off in Australia, and even over here a little bit, so that’s a big challenge.”

The Phoenix will be the 29-yearold’s fifth A-League club, having also played for Perth, the Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers in 219 appearances over 11 seasons. He also earned five caps for the Socceroos, making his debut in 2009.

He will be joined in Wellington by fellow Australian David Williams, who has signed a one-year deal. In 148 A-League appearances for the Roar, Sydney FC and Melbourne City, the 30-year-old striker has scored 29 goals and was most recently playing in Hungary.

Williams said he weighed up a few options before signing but coach Mark Rudan’s vision for the team played a big part in his decision.

“Mark has a very clear vision of where the club can go this season,” Williams said. “Mark’s an extremely driven coach and after talking to him about the project here, I wanted to be a part of it.

“With the club, it’s just a clean slate for everyone. I did have a few options but I needed a challenge.”

Nichols and Williams’ signings follow the additions of former English Premier League defender Steven Taylor and Polish international keeper Filip Kurto, while the club are expected to unveil Polish midfielder Michal Kopczynski later in the week. ● Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has confirmed his club is interested in signing Japan international and former AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda to a marquee deal. The 32-year-old retired from international football after the World Cup in Russia and has been in talks since with the A-League champions.