WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Expires 2024/25
Kosta Barbarouses (Option for 25/26 season)
Dublin Boon
Stefan Colakovski
Francisco Geraldes (V) [Loan]
M̶a̶r̶c̶o̶ R̶o̶j̶a̶s̶ 
S̶a̶m̶ S̶u̶t̶t̶o̶n̶ 
S̶c̶o̶t̶t̶ W̶o̶o̶t̶t̶o̶n̶ (̶V̶)̶

Expires 2025/26
Fin Conchie
Hideki Ishige (V)
Kazuki Nagasawa (V)
Josh Oluwayemi (V)
Paulo Retre
Alex Rufer
Luke Supyk

Expires 2026/27
Corban Piper
Luke Brooke-Smith
Alby Kelly-Heald
Lukas Kelly-Heald
Xuan Loke
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues
Jayden Smith

Expires 2027/28
Isaac Hughes
Tim Payne
Matt Sheridan
Nathan Walker

2ndBest

https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/piper-puts-pen-to-paper-on-a-new-contract/

nice - well deserved

Two more seasons! Happy with that!

Yeah thats actually a brilliant signing. If he continues to improve at the same rate and maintains the same attitude then honestly the sky is the limit. 

I still have no idea where I prefer him on the pitch but thats all part of the fun with Piper I guess.

Fully deserved, and a good start for 25/26 preparations. 👏

The first, easiest move to make. One step in the right direction, but they get harder from here.

Pleased about the Piper signing. We actually dont have much room for new import signings. The two Japanese and Josh are signed until the end of next season. If we pick up Chico hopefully, thats four import slots gone. So when Wooton leaves thats only one import to sign. You would think that would have to be a quality, experianced CB. Hardly leaves much room for a quality rebuild. Goal scoring was our problem this season. Looks like we will have the same attack next year with maybe Chico.

austin111

Pleased about the Piper signing. We actually dont have much room for new import signings. The two Japanese and Josh are signed until the end of next season. If we pick up Chico hopefully, thats four import slots gone. So when Wooton leaves thats only one import to sign. You would think that would have to be a quality, experianced CB. Hardly leaves much room for a quality rebuild. Goal scoring was our problem this season. Looks like we will have the same attack next year with maybe Chico.

If wqe keep Chico and he recovers from his injury in time I actually think he would be a key in releasing Ishige and Kosta on the goal scoring fronts. If we dont keep him then a quallity CB and AM are key!

austin111

Pleased about the Piper signing. We actually dont have much room for new import signings. The two Japanese and Josh are signed until the end of next season. If we pick up Chico hopefully, thats four import slots gone. So when Wooton leaves thats only one import to sign. You would think that would have to be a quality, experianced CB. Hardly leaves much room for a quality rebuild. Goal scoring was our problem this season. Looks like we will have the same attack next year with maybe Chico.

Yeah it's mostly going to come down to Aussies and Kiwis to fill the roster out. Unsure on the Aussies who are available and would want to come to NZ, but there should be a fair few Kiwis within reach for us who need the game time heading in to a World Cup year 

What did Chiefy say the other day? 2 x defensive players and 2 x attacking players, or something like that. 

Getting Piper to recommit is a good start, now we just need to be decisive on the other 4-5 targets and then get in and do the hard yards come July when they'll all be back.

austin111

Pleased about the Piper signing. We actually dont have much room for new import signings. The two Japanese and Josh are signed until the end of next season. If we pick up Chico hopefully, thats four import slots gone. So when Wooton leaves thats only one import to sign. You would think that would have to be a quality, experianced CB. Hardly leaves much room for a quality rebuild. Goal scoring was our problem this season. Looks like we will have the same attack next year with maybe Chico.

Hopefully Chico's injury recovery is tracking well, something can be sorted out with his parent Malaysian club, and yes he's onboard for next season.

But 100% we need someone else to be able to cover him as a quality AM. Probably only 15-20% of the Nix's games this season have either Rojas or Chico started in that playmaking role. The single biggest factor in this poor season.

You only go in with Geraldes (or whoever as your visa AM), he gets injured, and you run the risk of another season of the dire stuff. Can Ishige with a full pre season, with team mates he now knows well, effectivley play as a 10 in need? He is the assist king this year.

Otherwise yeah it's that difficult job of trying to find a quality free agent local attacking midfielder. De Jong from the PSL? Max Burgess still on the outer at Sydney? Not really happening for Eli Just in Europe at the moment. Singh's too expensive and you suspect not really serious about an ALM return.

Who are the free Aussie CBs? Would we risk signing a local (AUS/NZ) CB and look at a foreign CM/AM, plus Chico? How’s Josh Laws going? 

I’m hoping we’ll see Ishige unleashed a little deeper! He was effective twice when he was. 

You get the feeling Chief doesn’t want to play Nagasawa higher up, though he’s been better there than further back for us. 

Unless Gill and co can find some decent kiwis and Aussies things could be a bit difficult next season. The two Japanese and Costa will be closer to 35 than 30. AFC has swept up most of the AWs. We need an A League quality LB and CB, an AM(Chico). Sheridan and KH are not yet starting midfielders IMO so we need to strengthen there too. Im happy to wait to see who they sign but I cant see they have much room to manouvre.

Barba is 35, Nagasawa 33 & Ishige 30.

But yes the lack of guys in the squad mid-late 20s has frequently been commented on. AFC have them in spades.

Signings I think we should be looking at...

Moses Dyer, Ben Waine and Myer Bevan. All three are experienced and next to Costa offer better options than what we have currently available to us IMO.

Defensively I think we should be looking at Musa and Tuiloma as potentcial CB's. LKH can revert back to LB (I think he did fine there). Deklyn Wynne as a back up, if he is able to prove his fitness is back.

It's the middle of the park we really lack options... Just needs to be playing at a better level, but I don't think he will want to come here. Singh likewise is better than 2nd div Portugal, but won't want to come back. 

It's not 2009 anymore - it's Kosta, not Costa.

Where's that Spelling Ref?

Apologies... at work sneaking in my thoughts. 

MetalLegNZ

Signings I think we should be looking at...

Moses Dyer, Ben Waine and Myer Bevan. All three are experienced and next to Costa offer better options than what we have currently available to us IMO.

Defensively I think we should be looking at Musa and Tuiloma as potentcial CB's. LKH can revert back to LB (I think he did fine there). Deklyn Wynne as a back up, if he is able to prove his fitness is back.

It's the middle of the park we really lack options... Just needs to be playing at a better level, but I don't think he will want to come here. Singh likewise is better than 2nd div Portugal, but won't want to come back. 

You have gone all retro 2009, Metal throwing in Musa's name. Though he actually played for the Nix in 2010/11.

Not a bad shout. Plenty of experience, and being a CB/DM utility he presumably has a good passing range. But he's 33, and missed alot of USL games the last few years with injuries. 28 yr old Kyle Adams (ex Ole) would be a better bet. Though you feel those two alongside Collier are very settled Stateside in the US 2nd tier. The selling point, being you can make the AWs from playing with the Nix. You can't from the USL.

Hopefully someone has the time at some point to list ALM up coming off contract CBs, LBs and AMs. A back to the future search for a few Durantes, Lias and Nathan Burns types.

coochiee

MetalLegNZ

Signings I think we should be looking at...

Moses Dyer, Ben Waine and Myer Bevan. All three are experienced and next to Costa offer better options than what we have currently available to us IMO.

Defensively I think we should be looking at Musa and Tuiloma as potentcial CB's. LKH can revert back to LB (I think he did fine there). Deklyn Wynne as a back up, if he is able to prove his fitness is back.

It's the middle of the park we really lack options... Just needs to be playing at a better level, but I don't think he will want to come here. Singh likewise is better than 2nd div Portugal, but won't want to come back. 

You have gone all retro 2009, Metal throwing in Musa's name. Though he actually played for the Nix in 2010/11.

Not a bad shout. Plenty of experience, and being a CB/DM utility he presumably has a good passing range. But he's 33, and missed alot of USL games the last few years with injuries. 28 yr old Kyle Adams (ex Ole) would be a better bet. Though you feel those two alongside Collier are very settled Stateside in the US 2nd tier. The selling point, being you can make the AWs from playing with the Nix. You can't from the USL.

Hopefully someone has the time at some point to list ALM up coming off contract CBs, LBs and AMs. A back to the future search for a few Durantes, Lias and Nathan Burns types.

Ben Garruccio is off contract at the end of the season but I presume Western United would resign him at all costs.

https://youtu.be/LWAD2JvcxbQ?si=tZMmgz6QkAX8LLXv
Top 11 of contract players that Orr thinks should be snapped up. Only Sutton from the nix makes the list 

Some off contract players in no particular order and assuming we need a #9,  CB, LB and , another CM and a CAM with only one VISA spot to use 

ALM off contract players according to transfer market. Create your wish lists 

USL contracts run until 30th Nov
MLS contracts until 31st Dec

Alex Greive another who will be off contract later this year in the USL. But both him and Kyle Adams have options for further years.

I'd chuck Jay Herdman in the mix. On a 1 year deal with Cavalry in the CPL (31st Dec). Pity Lachlan Bayliss still has a year left on his Jets contract (expires mid 2026). He'd be very handy CM cover, and with Stanton gone you sense a few youngsters will be looking to leave Newcastle.

Just to give a small idea of the types of players we were looking at from the domestic scene relatively recently - Aiden Carey out of Western Springs.

He's probably unlikely to get another shot as he had trialled with the Nix at the same time Corban Piper first came down to Wellington, and ultimately the club liked Corbans versatility more.

But just a wee bit of an insight into the types of players we might be looking at to fill out a squad - guys that have been around the National League scene for a few years and have 70-80-90+ odd games under their belts.

Keegan Jelacic would be a good pick up on loan from his parent club Gent.

He’s been average for a poor Brisbane side but is a very talented player and still young. 

Could also convince him to recommit to NZ over Aus. 

Friar Tuck

Keegan Jelacic would be a good pick up on loan from his parent club Gent.

He’s been average for a poor Brisbane side but is a very talented player and still young. 

Could also convince him to recommit to NZ over Aus. 

Jelacic has already switched from NZU17s to Aus U23s. 
Pretty sure that's him committed to Aus now, ie FIFA don't allow him to flip back. 

RR the expert on this stuff.

YoungHeartHM

Just to give a small idea of the types of players we were looking at from the domestic scene relatively recently - Aiden Carey out of Western Springs.

He's probably unlikely to get another shot as he had trialled with the Nix at the same time Corban Piper first came down to Wellington, and ultimately the club liked Corbans versatility more.

But just a wee bit of an insight into the types of players we might be looking at to fill out a squad - guys that have been around the National League scene for a few years and have 70-80-90+ odd games under their belts.

For sure the Nix won't be spending at the same level as Auckland, but listening to Dome this season has stung the club you feel. They don't want a repeat.

Wootton and Sutton leaving will free up some salary budget space. Same Ball, OVH, Al-Taay & Rojas leaving in season.

Hopefully Welnix give Chief the spending budget that he feels he needs. He may want professionally experienced free agent Kiwis/Aussies in their mid 20s onwards, rather than plucking amateurs out of the NZ domestic leagues.

Though yes Piper has shown there can be some gems around deserving of a chance. Still with about 8 guys of the likely NZU20 WC squad already contracted to the Nix, do they need anymore young NZ locals?

Piper was basically working part time as PT at Birkenhead, and was built like a brick shark house before coming into a pro environment. So straight away he was more ready to handle the higher conditioned/physical nature of the ALM. An exception to the rule of most amateur domestic players.

coochiee

YoungHeartHM

Just to give a small idea of the types of players we were looking at from the domestic scene relatively recently - Aiden Carey out of Western Springs.

He's probably unlikely to get another shot as he had trialled with the Nix at the same time Corban Piper first came down to Wellington, and ultimately the club liked Corbans versatility more.

But just a wee bit of an insight into the types of players we might be looking at to fill out a squad - guys that have been around the National League scene for a few years and have 70-80-90+ odd games under their belts.

For sure the Nix won't be spending at the same level as Auckland, but listening to Dome this season has stung the club you feel. They don't want a repeat.

Wootton and Sutton leaving will free up some salary budget space. Same Ball, OVH, Al-Taay & Rojas leaving in season.

Hopefully Welnix give Chief the spending budget that he feels he needs. He may want professionally experienced free agent Kiwis/Aussies in their mid 20s onwards, rather than plucking amateurs out of the NZ domestic leagues.

Though yes Piper has shown there can be some gems around deserving of a chance. Still with about 8 guys of the likely NZU20 WC squad already contracted to the Nix, do they need anymore young NZ locals?

Piper was basically working part time as PT at Birkenhead, and was built like a brick shark house before coming into a pro environment. So straight away he was more ready to handle the higher conditioned/physical nature of the ALM. An exception to the rule of most amateur domestic players.

Piper a gem! Spare me!

Jelacic and Pearman might be worth conversations? 

Similarly Waine and Dyer.

I watch highlights and attacking players stand out in those.  A younger version of Sotirio, full of running and happy to sit on the bench. 

It’s hard for me to know which defensive or midfield players might be okay. 

Someone who watches a lot of full games like RR (?) would be better there.

Jelacic would have to be a hell of a lot better than he was this season. He seems to have gone backward in his development. Would be great to get Clayton Taylor, Hollman or Sapsford but there is no way they will be coming over here.

Jessie Merino

coochiee

YoungHeartHM

Just to give a small idea of the types of players we were looking at from the domestic scene relatively recently - Aiden Carey out of Western Springs.

He's probably unlikely to get another shot as he had trialled with the Nix at the same time Corban Piper first came down to Wellington, and ultimately the club liked Corbans versatility more.

But just a wee bit of an insight into the types of players we might be looking at to fill out a squad - guys that have been around the National League scene for a few years and have 70-80-90+ odd games under their belts.

For sure the Nix won't be spending at the same level as Auckland, but listening to Dome this season has stung the club you feel. They don't want a repeat.

Wootton and Sutton leaving will free up some salary budget space. Same Ball, OVH, Al-Taay & Rojas leaving in season.

Hopefully Welnix give Chief the spending budget that he feels he needs. He may want professionally experienced free agent Kiwis/Aussies in their mid 20s onwards, rather than plucking amateurs out of the NZ domestic leagues.

Though yes Piper has shown there can be some gems around deserving of a chance. Still with about 8 guys of the likely NZU20 WC squad already contracted to the Nix, do they need anymore young NZ locals?

Piper was basically working part time as PT at Birkenhead, and was built like a brick shark house before coming into a pro environment. So straight away he was more ready to handle the higher conditioned/physical nature of the ALM. An exception to the rule of most amateur domestic players.

Piper a gem! Spare me!

In the context of this season, and how he would have been dirt cheap, absolutely a gem.

2nd top goal scorer, with early comparisons to Siggy to be potential cult like heart on his sleeve, follow me type. In a season of mostly rocks, he's a major positive.

martinb

Jelacic and Pearman might be worth conversations? 

Similarly Waine and Dyer.

I watch highlights and attacking players stand out in those.  A younger version of Sotirio, full of running and happy to sit on the bench. 

It’s hard for me to know which defensive or midfield players might be okay. 

Someone who watches a lot of full games like RR (?) would be better there.

Pearman going to QPR

Urgakovic... bring him back.

Jessie Merino

coochiee

YoungHeartHM

Just to give a small idea of the types of players we were looking at from the domestic scene relatively recently - Aiden Carey out of Western Springs.

He's probably unlikely to get another shot as he had trialled with the Nix at the same time Corban Piper first came down to Wellington, and ultimately the club liked Corbans versatility more.

But just a wee bit of an insight into the types of players we might be looking at to fill out a squad - guys that have been around the National League scene for a few years and have 70-80-90+ odd games under their belts.

For sure the Nix won't be spending at the same level as Auckland, but listening to Dome this season has stung the club you feel. They don't want a repeat.

Wootton and Sutton leaving will free up some salary budget space. Same Ball, OVH, Al-Taay & Rojas leaving in season.

Hopefully Welnix give Chief the spending budget that he feels he needs. He may want professionally experienced free agent Kiwis/Aussies in their mid 20s onwards, rather than plucking amateurs out of the NZ domestic leagues.

Though yes Piper has shown there can be some gems around deserving of a chance. Still with about 8 guys of the likely NZU20 WC squad already contracted to the Nix, do they need anymore young NZ locals?

Piper was basically working part time as PT at Birkenhead, and was built like a brick shark house before coming into a pro environment. So straight away he was more ready to handle the higher conditioned/physical nature of the ALM. An exception to the rule of most amateur domestic players.

Piper a gem! Spare me!

Yep 100% a gem. Your opinion has been in the minority now for probably 3/4 games. I'm actually very excited to see how he continues to develop next season. 

He is an absolute battler and workhorse of a player. Shark loads of personality. Great player to watch in my opinion. 

I may sound like a broken record here, but the reason Piper succeeds despite limited skillset is his physicality and fitness.  Precisely the qualities we will find in most Auckland FC players this season, except their players also have good skills.  But we need to foster players like Piper to be able to keep them rather than just to onsell them tomorrow. For that reason I am happy he has signed up for the next three years.

Mainland FC

I may sound like a broken record here, but the reason Piper succeeds despite limited skillset is his physicality and fitness.  Precisely the qualities we will find in most Auckland FC players this season, except their players also have good skills.  But we need to foster players like Piper to be able to keep them rather than just to onsell them tomorrow. For that reason I am happy he has signed up for the next three years.

Agreed. He seems to have a fantastic ability to go all out as long as he's on the pitch, I'd love to know what his Vo2 max is.

People can say what they want about his touch and technicals but his fitness and mentality looks to be borderline world class.

I know he's getting old now but have the Wellington Phoenix ever contacted Garbhan Coughlan about a spot

NZKnowledge

I know he's getting old now but have the Wellington Phoenix ever contacted Garbhan Coughlan about a spot

Did he ever ask to come in for a trial? 

On the pod there was talk about further mutual terminations to upgrade the squad.

Does the cost of that salary from a terminated player still count against the cap? 

Is this just a blind guess by the podsters or is it an educated guess, reading between the lines on Chief’s last interview? 

Any more information or guesswork on likely spots this might focus on?

(Please note- this could easily get into if this is shifting blame for the season on the players, avoiding responsibility for best using resources etc. I think that that’s probably a discussion for the past season thread or elsewhere, not the next season squad thread.) 

My understanding is a mutual termination would still count against your salary cap. At least, that's based off of my FM knowledge : )