WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
Whilst yes I’d understand, I’d like to hope he’s grateful for the opportunity the nix gave him and had an understanding arranged with the club that if a reasonable offer came in, they’d let him go. This way, club is protected, as is he. I’ve no doubt he’ll be off back to Europe, but the club took a punt on him and rejuvenated his career. Yes. I’m naive.
This would be a massive anticlimax after the hype in this thread 😬
https://www.waz-online.de/sport/regional/oskar-zawada-so-wurde-das-vfl-wolfsburg-talent-zum-top-torjaeger-in-neuseeland-PEBQOJ2RFVEMVDFWDSVXWFQK2U.html
When the call with the offer came from Wellington, Zawada's curiosity was immediate. After a few phone calls it was clear: Zawada was moving to the other end of the world. The young father has no regrets about this step. “We told a lot of people back then that life here was fantastic. And that the conditions you have as a footballer are also great. Stadiums, pitches – everything is professional here. “I’m super happy and very grateful that I got the chance,” enthuses Zawada. “The mentality of the people is completely different than in Europe. Almost everyone is in a positive mood,” says the man, who lives with his wife Patrycia and their son Leo in a small town (Lower Hutt) near the New Zealand capital. “My wife likes it here so much, she doesn’t actually want to leave. She’s in love with New Zealand and wants me to extend the contract,” says Zawada with a smile.
Don't tease us, Oskar.
Is interesting timing to launch the Auckland club days before their soon to be rivals Wellington Phoenix play in the city. Meanwhile the Phoenix have announced a major player re-signing is coming tomorrow.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) November 21, 2023
Ben Old on a three-year deal? Kraev going for the white picket fence with his girlfriend?
Is interesting timing to launch the Auckland club days before their soon to be rivals Wellington Phoenix play in the city. Meanwhile the Phoenix have announced a major player re-signing is coming tomorrow.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) November 21, 2023
Ben Old on a three-year deal? Kraev going for the white picket fence with his girlfriend?
Unless they are a free agent we cant bring anyone new in until january, besides isnt the squad at the full 23 compliment at the moment?
hoping for a Zawada/Kraev extension
Now that the National League campaign is over as well, do we also think we'll have the scholarship players announced? Going to have to be far more proactive now we don't have the backyard all to ourselves...
To that end I'd be happy with all/a combination of - Gabriel Sloan-Rodrigues, Josh Tollervey, Fergus Gillion, Anaru Cassidy or Josh Rudland as those scholarship lads.
Ben Old 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 until 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣7️⃣ 🤩
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) November 21, 2023
Young Auckland midfielder Ben Old has recommitted to the Wellington Phoenix for another 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 seasons! 🙌#COYN! 🔥
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/T3GVysUtlm
Feels like there's a dig in there - Something about he had to go to Wellington to have an opportunity at top level footy.
Or maybe I'm reading too much into the use of Auckland in that announcement. 😆
Ben Old 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 until 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣7️⃣ 🤩
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) November 21, 2023
Young Auckland midfielder Ben Old has recommitted to the Wellington Phoenix for another 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 seasons! 🙌#COYN! 🔥
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/T3GVysUtlm
Feels like there's a dig in there - Something about he had to go to Wellington to have an opportunity at top level footy.
Or maybe I'm reading too much into the use of Auckland in that announcement. 😆
https://www.waz-online.de/sport/regional/oskar-zawada-so-wurde-das-vfl-wolfsburg-talent-zum-top-torjaeger-in-neuseeland-PEBQOJ2RFVEMVDFWDSVXWFQK2U.html
When the call with the offer came from Wellington, Zawada's curiosity was immediate. After a few phone calls it was clear: Zawada was moving to the other end of the world. The young father has no regrets about this step. “We told a lot of people back then that life here was fantastic. And that the conditions you have as a footballer are also great. Stadiums, pitches – everything is professional here. “I’m super happy and very grateful that I got the chance,” enthuses Zawada. “The mentality of the people is completely different than in Europe. Almost everyone is in a positive mood,” says the man, who lives with his wife Patrycia and their son Leo in a small town (Lower Hutt) near the New Zealand capital. “My wife likes it here so much, she doesn’t actually want to leave. She’s in love with New Zealand and wants me to extend the contract,” says Zawada with a smile.
Don't tease us, Oskar.
true, would be pretty low of the Akld team to try and sign players from the Nix though.
true, would be pretty low of the Akld team to try and sign players from the Nix though.
true, would be pretty low of the Akld team to try and sign players from the Nix though.
Make that "any side".
https://www.waz-online.de/sport/regional/oskar-zawada-so-wurde-das-vfl-wolfsburg-talent-zum-top-torjaeger-in-neuseeland-PEBQOJ2RFVEMVDFWDSVXWFQK2U.html
When the call with the offer came from Wellington, Zawada's curiosity was immediate. After a few phone calls it was clear: Zawada was moving to the other end of the world. The young father has no regrets about this step. “We told a lot of people back then that life here was fantastic. And that the conditions you have as a footballer are also great. Stadiums, pitches – everything is professional here. “I’m super happy and very grateful that I got the chance,” enthuses Zawada. “The mentality of the people is completely different than in Europe. Almost everyone is in a positive mood,” says the man, who lives with his wife Patrycia and their son Leo in a small town (Lower Hutt) near the New Zealand capital. “My wife likes it here so much, she doesn’t actually want to leave. She’s in love with New Zealand and wants me to extend the contract,” says Zawada with a smile.
Don't tease us, Oskar.
Oskar, rule number 1 in marriage - The wife is always right!! So do as she says!
I get that we don't have a great history of holding onto our marquee players, but I really doubt he'd leave us just to go to Auckland. He and his wife seem to genuinely enjoy living in the Hutt (as did I).
If he's going to go anywhere, I'd say it would be back to Europe or a bigger club in Australia.
I'm quietly hoping he's going to prove you dooms-dayers/naysayers wrong and sign a contract extension. Get that ATM card out Domey so that Mrs Zawada can hit the Queensgate Mall.
I get that we don't have a great history of holding onto our marquee players, but I really doubt he'd leave us just to go to Auckland. He and his wife seem to genuinely enjoy living in the Hutt (as did I).
If he's going to go anywhere, I'd say it would be back to Europe or a bigger club in Australia.
I'm quietly hoping he's going to prove you dooms-dayers/naysayers wrong and sign a contract extension. Get that ATM card out Domey so that Mrs Zawada can hit the Queensgate Mall.
He's obviously looking to give Europe a crack at some point, and he see's the Nix as the best current fit to help him do that. He's seen Waine do it. Chiefy will be promising him good playing time, if he gets fit and performs in training day to day.
But he goes to Auckland, and it's all unknown how many mins he'd get, who he will be up against for a starting spot etc etc. Suits both him & the club with their 'sell on, development club' policy. He came to club as a 15 year old, so the club will get nice solidarity payments, if he eventually does well in Europe. Good business all round.
Old admitted the chance to continue his career in Auckland would have been “inviting” but he decided to stay loyal to the club that gave him his first professional contract, believing the Phoenix was the best place for him to develop.
But at least if the money is similar it sounds like they are happy to stay which is awesome.
Oskar Zawada for @sport_tvppl via @chlebicki_p: 🇵🇱🟡⚫️
— Front Page Football (@FrontPgFootball) November 16, 2023
"In the last few days of the transfer window, there was interest from Croatia and Saudi Arabia. Wellington were very determined to keep me (...) My priority was a return to Europe, specifically to The Netherlands or the… pic.twitter.com/3ldcAgvJuJ
Oskar Zawada for @sport_tvppl via @chlebicki_p: 🇵🇱🟡⚫️
— Front Page Football (@FrontPgFootball) November 16, 2023
"In the last few days of the transfer window, there was interest from Croatia and Saudi Arabia. Wellington were very determined to keep me (...) My priority was a return to Europe, specifically to The Netherlands or the… pic.twitter.com/3ldcAgvJuJ
You read that whole tweet and just know he’s f- going to Sydney!
Oskar Zawada for @sport_tvppl via @chlebicki_p: 🇵🇱🟡⚫️
— Front Page Football (@FrontPgFootball) November 16, 2023
"In the last few days of the transfer window, there was interest from Croatia and Saudi Arabia. Wellington were very determined to keep me (...) My priority was a return to Europe, specifically to The Netherlands or the… pic.twitter.com/3ldcAgvJuJ
You read that whole tweet and just know he’s f- going to Sydney!
Yup, he's going lol
I hope not i hope he's a proper pro but you've seen it all before.
Goals are money to him and points to us.
Phoenix Men sign academy duo on scholarship deals📝
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) December 19, 2023
Academy duo Alby Kelly-Heald and Matt Sheridan have signed scholarship deals with the Phoenix Men's first team 👏
📖 | Read more 👉 https://t.co/LULmhsFtbR
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/JPO4ctaUGj