Darije Kalezić and Rado Vidošić have their first outfield signing as the Phoenix rebuild begins, with talented championship-winning Australian fullback Scott Galloway arriving in Wellington.
Wellington Phoenix are delighted to announce the signing of current Australian U-23 player Scott Galloway on a one-year contract.
With over 75 A-League appearances across five seasons, a premiership and a championship, the twenty-two-year-old comes with a level of experience that defies his age, having also represented his country at an U-20 World Cup.
Having spent recent months assessing the strengths of the Wellington Phoenix squad head coach Darije Kalezić and assistant coach Rado Vidošić moved swiftly to sign Galloway, who impressed Vidošić in their time together at Melbourne Victory.
“Scott possesses very good game awareness and technical ability and he is very effective on both side of the field”, said Vidošić. “His versatility and ability to play both left and right fullback makes him a very important player for our team.”
“Scott is the right type of player that will easily fit into our football model and we expect him to contribute towards our football culture.”
After coming through the ranks of the Australian Institute of Sport, in 2013 the Perth-born Galloway caught the eye of then-Victory coach Ange Postecoglou, who was so impressed by the teenager he handed him a full A-League debut in a Melbourne derby.
A standout in a struggling Mariners outfit last season, Galloway earned trials in the Netherlands but was convinced by Kalezić and Vidošić his future lay with the Phoenix.
“Rado gave me a call, asked me what I was doing,” said Galloway, “and he said he was coming to Wellington, and I was all ears. I loved everything I heard about what he and Darije want to do, so now I’m here.”
“It was a great experience trialing abroad but [Rado and Darije] convinced me that this would be the best place for me, to develop my game. The fact that Darije has coached in Netherlands, and brought through some top young players means I’m confident if I work hard, he can help take me to where I need to be.”
Held in high regard by Olyroos coach Josep Gombau, Galloway arrived in Wellington on Monday, and having successfully completed his medical will begin training with the squad later in the week.
Galloway is the second signing since the new coaches conducted their review of the Wellington squad and follows the re-signing of goalkeeper Lewis Italiano.
The coaches have identified at least four more targets and discussions have already begun with these players, with a visa-spot signing expected to be announced in coming weeks.
