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WPM 2026/27 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

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7 days ago

Should add Boyd has 2 assists in his last 4 LAFC games, over which he has played only 44 mins.

Bit of a super sub, for a stacked LAFC who are 2nd on GD in the MLS Western Conference. Being on same pts as Whitecaps (1st) and San Jose (3rd).
No shame to Boyd being a back up to Gabon international Denis Bouanga (10 goals), Venezuelan international David Martinez David (6 goals) and Korean/Spurs legend Son Heung-min (3 goals) at LAFC.

As Nelfoos says even if LAFC don't re-sign Tyler B, he'll get another MLS gig somewhere, at 5-10x what the Nix can pay him.

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6 days ago

PKB wrote:
coochiee wrote:
If it's this from Boyd's Insta, it's him his partner and kids modelling on some sort of LA runway, his little daughter clad in a LAFC top.
All this to a song by Boyd's doppelganger Justin Beiber.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DbQ4sP7Bxdq/

I see that Boyd & Tuiloma are Insta friends.
Nothing to see here.

Shades of Piper selling Mileusnic's car online, and suddenly Corban is off overseas.
If so, then the Phoenix ought to look at another option. Not a winger or striker, but Johnny Yull from Adelaide. If he doesn't get an offer to go North, what does he want?
Or for a striker/winger, maybe Raphael Lea'i, with A League level 1 on 1 coaching to add a bit more consistency, why not? He actually scored against Bulgaria this year.
Or Alex Saniel, the Vanuatu Adam Taggart. Still got 4 foreign places, imagine 1 or 2 of those 3, an attacking midfielder from a more advanced league and a main striker from a more advanced league. Something a bit like the Mariners 2020s recruitment.

Or, Jez Lofthouse, Owen Smith. Both are keen ball running players with the occasional goal and assist that could be substitutes here. & Willem Des Tombe from the Phoenix academy if they want him.

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6 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History

The only thing with Tyler I could imagine is the same thing as with Kosta- he’s got young kids who haven’t seen much of their grandparents, if they’re still in Wellington or nearby. Is any of that the case?

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5 days ago

Kosta's family are still here, no idea about Tyler's

Queenslander 3x a year.

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5 days ago

Kosta's family are still here, no idea about Tyler's

Queenslander 3x a year.

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5 days ago · edited 5 days ago · History

At least one of Tyler’s parents are Californian and he spent some of his early life growing up there as well as Tauranga. His folks maybe back in the Bear State.

Edit - Dual Heritage and Background

Born in New Zealand to a Kiwi father and an American mother, but raised for his first ten years in California before moving to New Zealand.

Felt equal loyalty to both nations, describing the choice as being like "choosing between your mum and your dad".

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5 days ago

Considering he has already been selected (once?) to the USA national team (not senior) I am sure his future is there and not here.

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4 days ago · edited 4 days ago · History

Another thing about potential new players for the Phoenix (or for Aussie A League teams) South Melbourne.
They won 2:1 over an A League team in the Australia Cup yesterday, Adelaide United. Former Heidelberg A League slayer Bul Juach scored a banger pinged inside of post and in like Sander Kartum's winning goal v Melbourne Victory. & Uchida scored too. A League moves next? Also David Yoo from South Island played that, and Mesourouni, Pasquali (Ex A League), Hassan Ramazani (ex Vanuatu United) played. & Ex Phoenix Paulo Retre played. Uchida is an affordable foreign winger, in this hard A League salary cap with special categories gone if accepted by (PFA) got to have another affordable foreign player along with Nagasawa. So they can afford the best main striker and main attacking midfielder they can
(Zawada/Eze, Carlos Hernandez/Davila).
With a sort of Ben Waine level guy as 2nd striker, could be foreign or Bul Juach or Ryan Feutz.

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4 days ago

Chiefytheman wrote:
20122.jpg 42.15 KB

Any more hints to this?

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4 days ago

wilbaker wrote:
Chiefytheman wrote:
20122.jpg 42.15 KB

Any more hints to this?

Is this account reputable? It's a very vague 'rumour' to put it lightly

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4 days ago

dunnix wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
Chiefytheman wrote:
20122.jpg 42.15 KB

Any more hints to this?
Is this account reputable? It's a very vague 'rumour' to put it lightly

Well, remember not much was revealed about Eze before time. We will see. If its a foreign striker there could be a delay with getting the visa approved or whatever, so no reveal as of yet.

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4 days ago

It's like a horoscope how it's worded to be generally applicable. Of course we bloody well should be signing a striker soon - we haven't got any and preseason training has started!

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PK+1

4 days ago

Silent wrote:
It's like a horoscope how it's worded to be generally applicable. Of course we bloody well should be signing a striker soon - we haven't got any and preseason training has started!

Yes. & an attacking midfielder and a winger. Thing is, they had to talk with Rufer very recently on convincing him to not leave, and extend 2 seasons more. & tried to keep Luke Brooke Smith another season & had to communicate him leaving. & new Bev's wingback. Now that's over I think they will lock into getting those new players.

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4 days ago

Silent wrote:
It's like a horoscope how it's worded to be generally applicable. Of course we bloody well should be signing a striker soon - we haven't got any and preseason training has started!

The Nix are going to "meet a tall dark stranger, take a trip over water and come into money". or maybe with the Brooke Smith stuff "come into money as a not tall dark player becomes a stranger with a trip over water"

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3 days ago

coochiee wrote:
Gracias
Young guy in the blue bib, shorts no 20?
image.png 2.87 MB

It looks like Joe McIntyre - played in midfield at the U17 World Cup

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3 days ago

KiwiMancunian wrote:
coochiee wrote:
Gracias
Young guy in the blue bib, shorts no 20?
image.png 2.87 MB

It looks like Joe McIntyre - played in midfield at the U17 World Cup

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/football-rising-star-shines-in-keepy-uppy-challange/E6SJP7WYXUBEN3UJP7F4CEOUEE/

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2 days ago

wilbaker wrote:
Chiefytheman wrote:
20122.jpg 42.15 KB

Any more hints to this?

Must be referring to Riley Bidois. His gf posted in the wgtn nannies/babysitters fb page today looking for work. New transfer sauce unlocked.

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

Barkmaker wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
Chiefytheman wrote:
20122.jpg 42.15 KB

Any more hints to this?
Must be referring to Riley Bidois. His gf posted in the wgtn nannies/babysitters fb page today looking for work. New transfer sauce unlocked.

Quite the precise hint there. Well done if this is true. Got to have an NZ attacker of some sort to help the main striker. I wonder what Ryan Feutz is up to? I imagine the club will want a main foreign striker, a main foreign winger and main attacking midfielder. Cover 3 different attacking positions with new foreign experience. With Kazuki Nagasawa to cover attacking midfield and start central midfield if Rufer's new sidekick gets hurt or carded off.

I saw an interesting attacking midfielder from Spain played in Spain and Andorra is a free agent, Pablo Margallo, 27. He is valued a little lower than Hussein and Rolke below, so very much a realistic Phoenix signing, or Brisbane Mariners Jets Adelaide with Jets able to lure with Asian Champions league. Valued at 250,000 Euros. (Less than Reno Piscopo, Carlo Armiento, Lachlan Wales).

& Iraq national team striker, scored 33 goals for Iraq and in World Cup qualifying playoff scored v Bolivia to win 2:1 to reach World Cup. Then scored v Norway in the World Cup group. Also he won the Iraqi league trophy before. Aymen Hussein, 30. 400,000 Euros value. Graham Arnold tell him about Sydney FC, Victor Campuzano out ACL broken, replacement needed.

Also an interesting attacking player from the Dutch 2nd league is a free agent. Can play across striker, winger or attacking midfield. Tony Rolke, 23. On 325,000 Euros value.
Phoenix, or Mariners? Get the new Mariners owners that also own QPR to make an excellent new signing.

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2 days ago

I was hoping the club might have taken a good look at David Yoo. He looked promising in the OFC

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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BrPK

2 days ago

Barkmaker wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
Chiefytheman wrote:
20122.jpg 42.15 KB

Any more hints to this?
Must be referring to Riley Bidois. His gf posted in the wgtn nannies/babysitters fb page today looking for work. New transfer sauce unlocked.

Bidois and a decent import 9, could be an exciting strike partnership.

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1 day ago

Forgot he had played for the Nix before.

Auckland will rise once more

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1 day ago

LG wrote:
I was hoping the club might have taken a good look at David Yoo. He looked promising in the OFC

Yes, same. He's played at South Island in OFC Pro League now moved to South Melbourne this winter. I wonder if he would be interested in the A League after the Australia Cup. South Melbourne with the win over A League Adelaide United at Lakeside Melbourne would have been great fun, I'm sure he would want to stay until at least the Australia Cup end, this month.

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History

Don't know how much credence to put into this, given the account isn't particularly well known/followed.

A move like this would be a little underwhelming if I'm being honest though.

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1 day ago

YoungHeartHM wrote:
Don't know how much credence to put into this, given the account isn't particularly well known/followed.

A move like this would be a little underwhelming if I'm being honest though.
Screenshot_20260803_083454_Instagram.jpg 367.39 KB
Screenshot_20260803_083611_Instagram.jpg 314.69 KB

When I read you saying underwhelming I thought it was going to be a visa player we were looking at.
I can't say i've ever watched this guy but for the local CB we were going to sign I was never expecting much since they'd likely be behind Hughes, Tuiloma and LKH so not too fussed on this as long as hes servicable when needed.

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1 day ago

wilbaker wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Don't know how much credence to put into this, given the account isn't particularly well known/followed.

A move like this would be a little underwhelming if I'm being honest though.
Screenshot_20260803_083454_Instagram.jpg 367.39 KB
Screenshot_20260803_083611_Instagram.jpg 314.69 KB

When I read you saying underwhelming I thought it was going to be a visa player we were looking at.
I can't say i've ever watched this guy but for the local CB we were going to sign I was never expecting much since they'd likely be behind Hughes, Tuiloma and LKH so not too fussed on this as long as hes servicable when needed.

Yes, he would be a substitute. Can't burn so much of the budget that they won't be able to get good starting attackers and midfielders. Must get new foreign players for main striker, winger, attacking midfielder and depending on Nagasawa fitness at 34, maybe another attacking midfielder. Or if they can't get an Au/NZ Rufer partner, foreign defensive/central midfield. Get this defender and Bidois as front and back subs.

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1 day ago

YoungHeartHM wrote:
Don't know how much credence to put into this, given the account isn't particularly well known/followed.

A move like this would be a little underwhelming if I'm being honest though.
Screenshot_20260803_083454_Instagram.jpg 367.39 KB
Screenshot_20260803_083611_Instagram.jpg 314.69 KB

The way this is written makes it sound like he's no older than 21, not 27. Can't say I'd be too excited if true

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History

wilbaker wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Don't know how much credence to put into this, given the account isn't particularly well known/followed.

A move like this would be a little underwhelming if I'm being honest though.
Screenshot_20260803_083454_Instagram.jpg 367.39 KB
Screenshot_20260803_083611_Instagram.jpg 314.69 KB

When I read you saying underwhelming I thought it was going to be a visa player we were looking at.
I can't say i've ever watched this guy but for the local CB we were going to sign I was never expecting much since they'd likely be behind Hughes, Tuiloma and LKH so not too fussed on this as long as hes servicable when needed.

Yeah I wasn't trying to be too harsh on him as I've never seen him play - Potential diamond in the rough and what not. I did laugh at him being described as a 'young defender' because he's 27, but I guess we shall see.

When I first saw this I looked at it similarly to Dan Edwards arrival last year (different positions) - Edwards came from a Victorian NPL Premiership winning side, whereas this bloke has been knocking around at NPL level his whole career too, but always with mid/lower table clubs. It just strikes me as a bit of an odd one is all.

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1 day ago

Dont love the direction of the signings. Honestly, if the club wants to half arse each season due to financial constraint's then we should just make the call to be a development club and aim to sell players to MLS/lower European leagues for cash. Not going to compete in the league by signing NPL players or recycled A league players, would be much cheaper/beneficial to pour resources into the academy and try control that market.

yung thug

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1 day ago

If he was an Australian I would be more inclined to agree with you.

But he’s not he’s a kiwi and some particularly in that position can bloom late.

The bottom line is the coaches obviously think he is better then anyone currently in the reserves/academy and he will be fourth choice centre back so will unlikely get many minutes.

Auckland will rise once more

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1 day ago

Joey Johns wrote:
Dont love the direction of the signings. Honestly, if the club wants to half arse each season due to financial constraint's then we should just make the call to be a development club and aim to sell players to MLS/lower European leagues for cash. Not going to compete in the league by signing NPL players or recycled A league players, would be much cheaper/beneficial to pour resources into the academy and try control that market.

Some of the better Phoenix academy players now are only aged 16 and 17 now. (Trenberth, Clegg, Cashmore). I'd like to see, but they need a few more months with academy, minimum. January for one of them?

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1 day ago

given the financial situation of the league this could well be the kind of squaddie signing across the league.
he's 27, 1.88m tall, so decent for a CB, but 21 games from 26 last season, 1 goal 2 assists, 1 yellow.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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1 day ago

YoungHeartHM wrote:
wilbaker wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Don't know how much credence to put into this, given the account isn't particularly well known/followed.

A move like this would be a little underwhelming if I'm being honest though.
Screenshot_20260803_083454_Instagram.jpg 367.39 KB
Screenshot_20260803_083611_Instagram.jpg 314.69 KB

When I read you saying underwhelming I thought it was going to be a visa player we were looking at.
I can't say i've ever watched this guy but for the local CB we were going to sign I was never expecting much since they'd likely be behind Hughes, Tuiloma and LKH so not too fussed on this as long as hes servicable when needed.
Yeah I wasn't trying to be too harsh on him as I've never seen him play - Potential diamond in the rough and what not. I did laugh at him being described as a 'young defender' because he's 27, but I guess we shall see.

When I first saw this I looked at it similarly to Dan Edwards arrival last year (different positions) - Edwards came from a Victorian NPL Premiership winning side, whereas this bloke has been knocking around at NPL level his whole career too, but always with mid/lower table clubs. It just strikes me as a bit of an odd one is all.

Is this a 1 season thing, while we wait for teenage Jayden Smith still developing? Maybe.

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1 day ago

Joey Johns wrote:
Dont love the direction of the signings. Honestly, if the club wants to half arse each season due to financial constraint's then we should just make the call to be a development club and aim to sell players to MLS/lower European leagues for cash. Not going to compete in the league by signing NPL players or recycled A league players, would be much cheaper/beneficial to pour resources into the academy and try control that market.

We have one visa signed and had Rufer re-sign not sure of any others announed. So if your upset about Rufer signing not sure why.
Best to wait till we have announced some signings before complaining about the quality of signings.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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1 day ago

Tried to piece together this guy's career from what I can find.

First appears in 2014 at the FFA Centre of Excellence in Canberra and getting a call-up to the Joeys (Aussie U17) in the same year (Daniel Arzani & James Delianov other notable names, coached by Tony Popovic).

Looks like he joins Western Sydney Wanderers academy in 2016 and move to the Newcastle Jets academy for 2017

The next time I can find him mentioned is 2021 playing for Mt Druitt Town Rangers and in 2024 he joins St George City where he currently plays.

Not putting too much faith in this being true persoanlly, but if it is, likely a sign Jayden Smith isn't expected to make it (and the older reserve defenders like Dylan Gardiner likely won't either)

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about 23 hours ago

ballane wrote:
Joey Johns wrote:
Dont love the direction of the signings. Honestly, if the club wants to half arse each season due to financial constraint's then we should just make the call to be a development club and aim to sell players to MLS/lower European leagues for cash. Not going to compete in the league by signing NPL players or recycled A league players, would be much cheaper/beneficial to pour resources into the academy and try control that market.
We have one visa signed and had Rufer re-sign not sure of any others announed. So if your upset about Rufer signing not sure why.
Best to wait till we have announced some signings before complaining about the quality of signings.

Maybe stacking the money?

Believe the A league salary cap goes from 1.7. to 31.6?

So one month down.

If they leave it another couple of months before paying these 4 imports, then surely they have 3/12 (one quarter) more cap then most others on these players?

Also by leaving it late they may find that the proposed hard cap doesn’t come into place and they have even more room to manoeuvre?

Auckland will rise once more

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about 23 hours ago

Do we know when this account was created? If it’s pretty recent, another reason to be skeptic. What is its history on rumours or transfers, if any?

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about 21 hours ago

Account first posted on 11 July 2026

Of all there rumours with no named source, I've so far yet to find one that has happened (not helped by the fact most of their rumours have come in the last week).

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about 21 hours ago

What about Josh Laws? He's gained experience and maturity. I felt he was great at long range passes whilst at the Nix.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 20 hours ago

LG wrote:
What about Josh Laws? He's gained experience and maturity. I felt he was great at long range passes whilst at the Nix.

Hasn't had a club for over a year, so no idea if he is even still playing football.

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about 17 hours ago

KiwiMancunian wrote:
coochiee wrote:
Gracias
Young guy in the blue bib, shorts no 20?
image.png 2.87 MB

It looks like Joe McIntyre - played in midfield at the U17 World Cup

https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixAcad/status/2083461723647049881

https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixAcad/status/2083461723647049881

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