The Wellington Phoenix have released Oskar van Hattum from the remainder of his contract so he can further his professional career.
The young forward has signed with Sligo Rovers to play in the 2025 League of Ireland premier division, ending his eight year affiliation with the Phoenix which started when he left New Plymouth as a 14-year-old to join the club’s academy.
Van Hattum, 22, played 41 A-League matches for the Nix over three and a half seasons.
He was limited to four appearances this season after making 17 during the team’s record-breaking 2023-24 campaign, when he scored his first A-League goal and set-up four others.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill says it made sense to release van Hattum from the final six months of his contract.
“Following ongoing discussions with OVH about his playing future at the club, we agreed that it was best for him to pursue this opportunity,” Gill said.
“We look forward to following him at Sligo Rovers and we hope to see another of our academy graduates kick on with his professional career.
“OVH’s departure also creates further opportunities over the back half of this season for the next wave of academy grads.”
Oskar van Hattum, who made his debut for the All Whites last year and featured in all three of New Zealand’s group matches at the Paris Olympics, has mixed feelings about his move.
“It’s really, really difficult to put into words all of the emotions that are coming through because ever since I knew what football was I’ve been a Wellington Phoenix fan,” van Hattum said.
“I feel really lucky and privileged to be able to say I was a Wellington Phoenix player for eight years.
“I’ve been here for over a third of my life so I’m stepping away from home, all of the amazing people I’ve worked with and all of the teammates that have helped me get to where I am.
“It’s sad to finally be making the decision to leave but at the same time there’s a certain level of excitement jumping into what I would almost consider an unknown, considering how inaccessible the Irish league is in New Zealand.
“And I think that’s what’s exciting about this move to have new surroundings, new faces and new opportunities.
“It’s also best for my career going forward to go and get gametime. The more minutes I get the more I’m able to show what I’m able to do.
“It’s time for a new challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Van Hattum has thanked everyone at the Phoenix who have played a role in his development.
“Whether it’s people who’ve come and gone from 2017, all my coaches and teammates I’ve had, and of course the fans.
“I appreciate every last one of them and what they’ve done for me.
“I’m going to miss everybody but also at the same time hopefully it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see ya later.
“Wellington has been my home for eight years and it is a really, really nice place to live and I do want to come back and live here in the future so I would love to get the opportunity to put the yellow and black on again.”
