Eamonn McCarron has become the first player to commit to the Wellington Phoenix through until the end of the 2028-29 Isuzu UTE A-League.
The 1.99m tall goalkeeper has put pen to paper on his first pro contract, signing a three year deal with the Phoenix.
McCarron, 18, made his senior debut for the Nix in the Australia Cup last year, while still only 17, before going on to play six A-League matches and recording clean sheets in road wins over Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC in January.
He did that while being an uncontracted member of the first team squad, having started the season as Wellington’s fourth choice ‘keeper.
Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre says it’s a proud moment for McCarron and his family.
“Eamonn thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” Greenacre said. “He’s been fantastic since he’s been at the club and has progressed through the academy ranks while playing in the Central League.
“He showed everybody his qualities when he stepped into the A-League and proved that he can play at this level.
“Eamonn now has the chance to build on that experience and I’m sure he’ll have a bright future with us.”
A proud Wellingtonian, Eamonn McCarron only started playing football at Raroa Intermediate having played rugby until he was 12.
He says it means a lot to him to sign with his hometown club.
“My family are a rugby family and when I was younger I was dreaming of playing for the Lions or Hurricanes, but to sign a pro deal with a club where I grew up and live is very special and I’m very grateful,” McCarron said.
“I don’t have any regrets that I made the choice to start playing football and stop playing rugby.
“I’m really happy I made that switch. I went straight into goal and have loved it from there.”
McCarron played his youth football for Waterside Karori, Western Suburbs and North Wellington before joining the Phoenix academy in 2022.
“All of the goalkeeper coaches I’ve had at the Phoenix have been really good,” McCarron said.
“I first had Ruben Parker. I’ve known him since I started playing football. I used to go up to Auckland to do one-on-one sessions with him and he’s the reason I joined the academy.
“I had him for a year in the academy and then he got the first team job. I learnt so much for him.
“Ed Harding also helped me a lot at the academy over the next couple of years and I developed even more under Dylan Cope in the first team environment last season.
“Ruben, Ed and Dylan have all played a major role in my development and I’m very thankful to have worked with all three of them.”
He has fond memories of his six A-League appearances, including the 5-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory.
“I learnt so much because at this level you get punished if you make mistakes.
“The result against Victory obviously wasn’t great but I don’t think I’ve ever learnt as much from that game as I have from any moment in my career. It helped me and I had some good games after that.
“The clean sheet and win over Brisbane was really important to me because it was against Ruben. I was really happy with that.”
McCarron has big goals for both the club and internationally.
“It’s really good to have had A-League starts at a young age and now it’s about trying to get back there and then pushing on to a higher level.
“I try to get better and push to the highest level possible in every training and game.
“I know there’s more I can learn and hopefully I get to learn more next season.
“I want to be the starting goalkeeper for New Zealand at the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year and I’m going to push for that.”
Eamonn McCarron is the 15th player on the men’s books for next season, with further squad announcements to follow in the coming weeks.
