Teen striker joins Phoenix

New Zealand age-group star Milly Clegg has been picked up by Wellington Phoenix, continuing her meteoric rise. The striker, who celebrated her 17th birthday this week, won the final spot on the Phoenix’s A-League Women roster after catching coach Natalie Lawrence’s eye by scoring at the Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups. Clegg has chosen to sign an amateur contract with the Phoenix, ensuring she will remain eligible to play college football in the United States, should she wish to go down that pathway in the future. The year-12 Mount Albert Grammar School student will still be allowed to play in the A-League and will train fulltime with the Phoenix in Wellington – she just won’t be paid.