The Wellington Phoenix have secured another key member of the women’s goalkeeping union.
Aimee Danieli has followed Football Ferns goalkeeper Victoria Esson in re-signing with the Phoenix for the 2026-27 Ninja A-League.
Danieli, 21, served as Esson’s back-up during the women’s record-breaking 2025-26 campaign and made her Nix starting debut against Melbourne City last December.
She made two substitute appearances over the previous two seasons having initially joined the first team as a training partner before signing a scholarship contract in 2024.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman is delighted to have re-signed Danieli.
“We’re very lucky to have the calibre of goalkeepers that we do at the club,” Priestman said. “And Aimee has a big future at the Phoenix.
“She stepped in when Vic was unavailable and did a very good job, and every day in training she applies herself incredibly hard.
“Aimee’s committed to the club and adds a lot to the team on and off the pitch, so it’s great to be able to reward her with a new contract.”
Aimee Danieli jumped at the chance to sign a contract extension with the Phoenix.
“I love the club, everything about it, so I want to stay,” Danieli said. “Last season was insane. It was so cool.
“It’s a testament to all the people involved who are doing good things for the Phoenix.
“I can’t wait to get back to work with the players, Bev and the rest of the staff.”
Having been part of the first team environment for the past three seasons, Danieli believes she is ready to push and take her career to the next level.
“It’s hard being the number two. You always want to be playing.
“But when I’m preparing for games I always have to go in thinking I’m going to play because you never know what could happen. Maybe the number one gets injured and you have to go on.
“I come to training every day and try and push myself with the mentality to prove I can be a number one if an injury happens or the coaches decide to make a change in goal.”
She knows she needs to play some competitive matches in the off-season to ensure she’s ready for the new campaign.
“I’ve only had friendlies and internal matches so I’m hoping to get some games for the academy during the A-League off-season.
“I need to work on a couple of areas of my game that involves having gametime.
“So I’m really working on having games and showing my match awareness. Working on things you get with playing games rather than just training.”
Aimee Danieli is the 14th women’s player contracted to the Wellington Phoenix for the 2026-27 A-League season, with further squad announcements to follow in the coming weeks.
