The Wellington Phoenix have made a statement signing ahead of the 2026-27 Ninja A-League.
The Phoenix have secured the signature of decorated defender Abby Erceg on a one-year deal.
Erceg, 36, is one of New Zealand’s greatest footballers. On top of being the fourth most capped Football Fern and playing at four World Cups and four Olympic Games, she has played more than 200 matches in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S.A. and has captained three championship-winning NWSL teams.
She has also previously played in Australia and Germany, and for the past year and a half has played for Liga MX Femenil club Toluca in Mexico.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman is delighted to add Erceg’s “quality and experience” to the team.
“While we had an outstanding season and we went to the A-League grand final this year, we identified we need more experience and to continue to add winners to the team,” Priestman said.
“In Abby we’ve got that. We’ve got a player who knows exactly what you need to be able to win at the highest level.
“As well as playing at World Cups and Olympic Games, and the pressure that comes with that, she has finals experience from one of the best leagues in the world.
“And Abby has a real burning desire to push women’s football in New Zealand to new heights. That really stood out from the conversations I’ve had with her.
“She’s just the player we need to ensure the club has sustained success.”
Abby Erceg “fell in love with Mexico” during her time at Toluca but has always wanted to return home before the end of her career.
“I want to give back to the game in New Zealand,” Erceg said. “It’s been a goal of mine to come back and play and have my family and friends see me playing professionally week-in, week-out.
“I want to drive the awareness around women’s football here and push that in the last couple of years of my career.
“And I want to get as many girls as we possibly can up to a higher level and just expose them to what’s required if they do want to go overseas, or if we can help the A-League grow that’s even better.
“I’m quite keen to get my hands dirty and do as much as I can while I’m still relevant and can have that influence.”
Erceg was convinced the Phoenix was the right club for her after learning about their commitment to the women’s game and the development pathway available to young female footballers through the academy.
“At times in New Zealand we’ve lacked a lot of resources and we’ve lacked a lot of investment in the women’s game, but Wellington are doing a really good job and that’s something that I want to be part of.
“I want to be part of a club that invests and sees the vision in women’s football.
“You can see it growing around the world and our job together is to help it grow in New Zealand as well.”
She will move to Wellington later this month ahead of the start of pre-season training but has already visited the Phoenix’s base at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS).
“As soon as I walked in and saw the gym I was like ‘I’m in the right place’.
“The facilities at NZCIS are better than I’ve had at any club that I’ve been at in the world. It was absolutely phenomenal. It blew my mind.
“I’m super excited to be coming to work every day in an environment where there’s absolutely no excuse. We can’t blame anything on anything because they provide absolutely everything we need.”
The Wellington Phoenix now have 17 women’s players contracted for the 2026-27 Ninja A-League season, with further squad announcements to follow before the team assembles for the start of pre-season training in the first week of September.
