Leo Bertos has kicked off the biggest week of his life by signing a new contract with the Wellington Phoenix.
On Saturday Bertos, 31, will sign another contract when he marries his partner of four years, Regan Kinnaird, and he is delighted to have the security of a new one-year Phoenix deal with the option of a further year.
“It is good to get it over the line, especially as I-m getting married this weekend” Bertos said.
“It-s nice to know the club wanted me to stay because I definitely wanted to be here, and it is one less headache in what is a hectic week.”
Bertos, who began his professional career with English club Barnsley in 2000 and joined the Phoenix eight years later after a two-season stint with Australian A-League club Perth Glory, acknowledged it had been a difficult year for everyone connected with the club.
Making it even more challenging for Bertos was a switch to right fullback after playing most of his career as a wide midfield player.
“Yeah, it wasn-t easy but I actually enjoyed my stint at right back and I-ve played a similar role in the national team” he says.
“Football is a team game and if you are asked to play a different position then you just get on with the job.
“I thought I did alright there (right back), but I am more natural going forward and with the way we performed this season I didn-t get as many opportunities to do that as I would have liked.
“You watch the top leagues overseas, and also the A-League, and see fullbacks getting forward a lot and that-s what I hoped I could do.
“The way the season went my number one role was to defend and I had to learn quickly.
“In the past we have been a hard team to break down defensively but that wasn-t the case this year.
“We have to learn from that and get back to not conceding goals easily.”
Bertos is delighted he will be playing alongside former Melbourne Victory star Carlos Hernandez in the coming season with the midfielder joining the Phoenix after a stint in India.
“It is good to see top players coming back to the A-League and great that someone like Carlos is joining the Phoenix,” he said.
“Football is a team game but it helps when you have someone with his talent.
“Carlos is well known for scoring spectacular goals but he also creates a lot of chances for other people and I look forward to playing off him.”
Looking ahead to his wedding, Bertos said the season had been difficult for wives and partners as well as the players.
“I haven-t been the greatest person to live with over the last few months, and Regan has been terrific during what has been a rough time for everyone.
“Saturday can-t come quick enough for me, especially now I know my immediate future is settled.”
Phoenix General Manager David Dome said he was delighted Bertos is staying with the club.
“Leo is a core member of the squad,” Dome said.
“We began negotiations with him some time ago and I am really pleased he has agreed a new deal.”
