Victoria Esson is returning to Aotearoa after a successful seven seasons in Europe.
The Football Ferns goalkeeper has signed with the Wellington Phoenix for the 2025-26 Ninja A-League season.
Esson, 34, has spent the past three seasons at Rangers FC in Scotland, where she has won five trophies alongside fellow new signing Tessel Middag, after previously playing in Germany and Norway.
She has been capped 28 times by New Zealand at senior level and started all of the Ferns’ internationals in 2025.
Interim Phoenix head coach Amy Shepherd is thrilled to have secured Esson’s signature.
“She brings a wealth of experience from the international stage — including FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games — as well as from top-level club football, most recently with Rangers FC,” Shepherd said.
“Vic’s leadership from the back and her passion for driving both this club and the women’s game forward in Aotearoa are qualities that will be vital for the 2025-2026 season.
“She brings a winning mindset and high-performance standards, shaped by her recent successes.
“As a goalkeeper, she is courageous, commanding, and proactive — always ready to take charge of her box.
“We are excited to welcome her back home to New Zealand!”
Victoria Esson has long dreamed of playing professionally in Aotearoa, but it wasn’t an option for her in 2019 so she had to go offshore in order to pursue a full-time football career.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity the Phoenix have provided me to come home and continue to play professional football,” Esson said.
“It’s amazing that young Kiwis can now aspire to play for a New Zealand team in the A-League.
“For me it’s still a bit unimaginable being able to play professionally in my home country.
“It’s going to be the first time my family and friends will be able to watch me play games at club level on a weekly basis. It’s pretty exciting that this is about to become my reality.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and I hope we can make it a season to remember.”
Esson was impressed by the club’s vision after meeting with Shepherd and academy director Emma Humphries, who has been assisting the Phoenix women with recruitment.
“I liked the strong ambitions that were presented. I think it had substance to it and truth to it.
“It seems like they’re trying to organise the team early so they’ve got the players we need to succeed this season.”
She believes she can contribute to the team’s success on and off the pitch.
“I hope to bring good goalkeeping, clean sheets and competitiveness in training and in games.
“Having played in America, Norway, Germany and Scotland I think I’ve become a more rounded person and a more rounded footballer.
“I am confident my experiences will help me to get along well with the visa players and being a Kiwi I hope I can connect well with the local players too.
“I would like to set a good standard in training and challenge players to bring the best out of themselves, whilst being a kind person and a good teammate.”
Victoria Esson is the 13th player confirmed in the Wellington Phoenix women’s squad for the 2025-26 A-League, with further signings and re-signings to follow in the coming weeks.
