The Wellington Phoenix have lured Carlo Armiento back to the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The Phoenix have signed the former Adelaide United, Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar forward for the 2025-26 season.
Armiento, 26, spent the past year with Turris in Serie C and was about to sign with a new club in Italy before Nix head coach Giancarlo Italiano came calling.
“It takes me a long time to decide on players and I was scouting Carlo for about a month before I reached out to his agent,” Italiano said. “When I spoke to Carlo we were immediately on the same page and he was soon on a plane back home.
“The way I want to play this season is a little bit more adventurous in the final third and I need players that suit the playing style.
“When Carlo gets around the box he loves to shoot, loves to create, loves to put in good crosses and he’s a real attacking threat.
“The way we’re going to play this season he’s going to be an influential left-sided player that’s going to give us a lot of goals and assists.”
Italiano also believes Armiento will be a great fit off the pitch.
“We’ve been looking to bring in more players that are in that 23 to 28 age bracket to balance the team.
“Carlo fits the mould and from all of the character references we’ve gotten he’s pretty down to earth and he just wants to get here and prove his talent.
“I think he’ll be very good for the changing room.”
Carlo Armiento arrived in Wellington late on Sunday night and trained with his new teammates for the first time today (Tuesday, July 22).
“As soon as I spoke with Giancarlo I got the vibe that he wanted me and after that I made my mind up to come back,” Armiento said.
“He wants the Phoenix to play on the front foot, keep the ball and play attacking football. As an attacking player that was good to hear.
“I want to come back to the A-League to show what I’ve learnt in Italy and bring my experience back to Wellington.
“I know there are a lot of young players at the Phoenix. I’ve been in their shoes so with my experience I can help the team in that way.”
Armiento also hopes to help the team on the pitch.
“I’ve got a good left foot and I can hit a ball quite well. I hope to cross in a few balls for the strikers and the attackers.
“I had a good spell of consistent games over in Italy and now I want to bring that back to the A-League and hit the ground running with the Phoenix.
“Hopefully Chiefy can get the best out of me and I can help the team be successful.”
The Wellington Phoenix now have 20 men’s players contracted for the 2025-26 A-League, with further signings to follow in the lead-up to the new season in October.
