Academy graduates released from scholarship contracts

George Ott and Kurtis Mogg have been granted early releases from their contracts with the Wellington Phoenix, clearing them to play for National League clubs this weekend.

The academy graduates spent the entire 2021/22 A-League season with the first team in Sydney, after joining the Phoenix on one-year scholarship deals.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 29: George Ott in action during a Wellington Phoenix A-League training session at Martin Luckie Park on October 29, 2021 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Their contracts were due to expire at the end of June, but that has been brought forward a month so they don’t have to wait to return to playing football.

Both Ott and Mogg haven’t been offered new deals by the Phoenix, after making limited appearances for the club last season.

Ott, a 20-year-old striker, came off the bench in two A-League matches in March after featuring in extra time in the FFA Cup quarter-final victory over Melbourne City.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 30: Kurtis Mogg of the Phoenix warms up before the A-League Mens match between Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix at Moreton Daily Stadium, on March 30, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Mogg only made one appearance for the club, with the central defender starting the round of 32 FFA Cup match against Western United at left back.