James McGarry has rejoined the Wellington Phoenix to help the club lift its first major trophy.
The experienced fullback, who won the A-League championship with Central Coast in 2023, has signed on with the Phoenix for the next two Isuzu UTE A-League seasons after securing a release from the Brisbane Roar.
McGarry, 28, was a key member of the Roar’s squad during the 2025-26 campaign, starting 24 of their 26 matches while scoring a goal and providing three assists.
He has also played for Aberdeen FC in the Scottish Premiership since making 38 appearances for the Nix during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre is delighted to have secured McGarry’s signature.
“Jimmy’s a big signing for the club,” Greenacre said. “He’s got a lot of experience and at 28 he’s in his prime and is ready to kick-on in his career.
“He’s a modern fullback. He’s excellent going forward, scores goals and he’s a good defender.
“Jimmy’s got speed and strength, and you can see over the years how he’s matured and grown as a player.
“And ultimately, he’s a champion. Having won the A-League with the Mariners he will bring that winner’s mentality which will be a massive asset.
“We’re working around the clock to try and give the fans the best squad we can put together and we’ve brought Jimmy back to the club to help the Phoenix win a title.”
And James McGarry wants to bring success to his “hometown”, having been one of the first players to graduate from the Phoenix academy.
“I moved to Wellington when I was 15 and I’ve probably spent five or six years living there so to me it is a second home,” McGarry said.
“This will be my third spell at the club, but I think I bring a lot more this time in terms of experience.
“I’ve had experience in Europe playing at a good level and I’ve also had some fantastic experiences in the A-League.
“I won a championship with Central Coast, which was massive. I know what that’s like and I know what that feeling can bring to players.
“I want to bring that feeling to Wellington.
“I’ve got really good mates at the Phoenix and I’d love them and the whole of Wellington to feel that feeling. That’s definitely a big part of coming back home.”
McGarry “loves the plan” Greenacre has for next season.
“Everything he said was just what I want in a football club. The players he wants to bring in and the style he wants to play fits me.
“Over the years I’ve changed my game a little bit. Last season I showed some pretty good defensive capabilities that maybe had lacked in previous seasons.
“I’m a really confident defender but I also like to have that freedom to go forward and have that left side as my own.
“That was pretty much what Greeny proposed to me that I’ll have that freedom to go forward, be involved in the attacking third, whipping crosses into the strikers and hopefully scoring a few goals myself.
“And on top of that being in a city that I’ve lived in with fans that I’ve had behind me before makes me feel comfortable. When I’m comfortable I think I play my best football.”
He also can’t wait to play in front of the Yellow Fever on a regular basis having done so only on a couple of occasions during his last stint at the Phoenix as the men were based across the ditch.
“One of my last games for the Nix in Wellington was when we came back from Sydney and I think we played in front of 15 thousand. That was awesome to be able to do that.
“I’m looking forward to being able to play in front of our fans week-in, week-out and do them really proud.
“Hopefully we can get a lot of people in Wellington to support us. At the end of the day that’s on us to perform and play an attractive style of football that people want to come and see.
“I’m really looking forward to being able to do that.”
James McGarry is the 16th men’s player contracted to the Wellington Phoenix for the 2026-27 A-League season, with further squad announcements to follow in the coming weeks.
