The Wellington Phoenix have secured the services of a player with experience in one of the world’s top leagues.
The Phoenix have signed English forward Olivia Fergusson for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League.
Fergusson, 29, played for Bristol City and Yeovil Town in the Women’s Super League in England, as well as playing for Celtic in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
She most recently played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League North.
“I’ve obviously played over in England for a long time, and was looking for a new challenge,” Fergusson said.
“Paul (head coach Paul Temple) contacted my agent and asked if I would consider the A-League.
“To be honest I never thought I’d get an opportunity to play in the A-League, so I was definitely interested.
“I caught up with Paul on a Teams chat, and that was my first real insight into the club and what he was wanting to achieve. I was really hooked after that first call.
“He’d definitely done his research on me, and I feel like what he had interpreted that I can bring really aligned with what I see in myself.”
Fergusson wants to take a prominent role in helping the Phoenix reach the finals for the first time.
“I’m an attacking player. I like to contribute with goals and assists, but mostly I just like to work hard for the team out of possession.
“Hopefully I can bring some leadership and some experience.”
And a nickname picked up in Scotland bodes well for her time in Wellington.
“Obviously my name is Fergusson, so at Celtic I picked up the nickname of Fergie after (legendary Manchester United manager) Alex Ferguson.
“He was known for his teams scoring late goals. I did that a couple of times at Celtic and it was known as scoring in Fergie time.
“That stuck, and at Wolves last season I scored a few late goals as well.”
She has also played in the FA Women’s Championship and believes her experience across different divisions will help her adapt to the A-League.
“All the leagues have their different challenges. Some are more technical, some are more tactical, some are more physical. But all of them made me the player that I am now.
“With everything that I’ve done I’ve built quite a well-rounded level of experience, so that will help me.
“Hopefully I can settle in pretty quickly. Change is not something I’m new to.”
Head coach Paul Temple is delighted Fergusson has signed with the Nix.
“As soon as Olivia came on the radar, I thought she would be a great fit,” Temple said.
“We needed another top level striker, and she fits the bill. She’s also an experienced player with hunger and drive.
“Olivia’s playing career across the WSL, Championship and SWPL speaks for itself. She’s played at big clubs and knows how football at the top level works.
“She’s a versatile forward who likes to run in behind defenders and the way she plays will fit our style of play brilliantly.
“Supporters want to see players who give their all for the shirt, and everything we have seen from Olivia tells us she is a player the fans will enjoy watching.”
Olivia Fergusson is the 12th Wellington Phoenix player contracted for the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season, with the club hopeful of announcing further signings and re-signings in the coming weeks.
