The Wellington Phoenix Gazette
Transfer targets10 Aug 2026
Wellington Phoenix rebuffed over Alban Ajdini
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Lausanne-Sport have kept their man, and Wellington Phoenix go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
Squad10 Aug 2026
Bill Tuiloma signs on for more
“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Bill Tuiloma and Wellington Phoenix agree another 3 years.
Squad10 Aug 2026
Kazuki Nagasawa wants to finish where he started
Every long career reaches the week the player starts thinking about the last one. He would like it to be at the club that first put him on a pitch, and Wellington Phoenix now know that too.
Market10 Aug 2026
Mark Beath steps up from the Wellington Phoenix academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Mark Beath has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
Adam Doyle steps up from the Wellington Phoenix academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Adam Doyle has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
Will Duncan steps up from the Wellington Phoenix academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Will Duncan has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
One of our own: David Morrison joins the Wellington Phoenix first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. David Morrison is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
The dugout10 Aug 2026
James McGarry gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Transfer targets10 Aug 2026
Wellington Phoenix try to borrow Michael den Heijer
Auckland City have been asked whether they would lend him. Loans are agreed quickly or not at all, and this one will be one or the other by the weekend.
In brief
- Squad Too much change too quickly at Wellington Phoenix
- The dugout Bill Tuiloma asks for a word with the manager
- Squad A season on the outside for Rafael Durán