The Wellington Phoenix have signed All Whites midfielder and multiple ISPS Handa Premiership winner Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi on a one-year contract.

The 24-year-old defensive player currently plays for Onehunga Sports in the Lotto NRFL Premier League but has previously represented former Oceania champions Auckland City since his debut in 2015.

Having previously trialled for the club in pre-season of last year, Hudson-Wihongi is happy to have secured a contract.

"I’m feeling very excited to be here and relieved as it’s been a long time coming for me," he says. 

"Last year, I faced two untimely injuries which ruled out the chance to sign so this a great moment for me and I can’t wait to make my mark here in Wellington."

Head Coach Ufuk Talay believes Hudson-Wihongi holds plenty of talent to become a regular starter this season.

"Te Atawhai is a young player that has already experienced a lot in his career on the international and FIFA Club World Cup stage so I’m looking forward to seeing his progression on a daily basis," Talay says.

Hudson-Wihongi has been training in Wellington for a week and is enjoying the positive environment at the club.

He has also represented his country at both age-group and senior level, making his full All Whites debut in November 2015 after coming on for Marco Rojas in a 1-0 win over Oman.

In 2010, the Auckland-born Hudson-Wihongi moved to Christchurch and joined the Asia Pacific Football Academy before earning himself a move to Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake in 2012.

After a couple of years in the professional environment with the MLS U-18s side, Hudson-Wihongi returned to New Zealand and played for the 2015 U-20 FIFA World Cup build-up team, Wanderers SC.

He later signed for then Oceania champions Auckland City and appeared in the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup campaign in a 2-0 loss to J-League team Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Article added: Thursday 18 July 2019