Goalie Vukovic joins Kiwi football club Phoenix

SYDNEY (AFP) – Former Australia under-23 goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, without a club after a playing deal fell through in Turkey, has signed with A-League club Wellington Phoenix, officials said on Monday.

Vukovic, 25, left Central Coast Mariners after making more than 100 appearances for them to take up a three-year contract with Turkish Super Lig club Konyaspor in June.

But the deal was terminated in August when it was discovered the Turkish outfit had too many overseas players on its books and Vukovic returned home looking for a club.

Vukovic will now vie with New Zealand’s World Cup goalkeeping hero Mark Paston for the number one custodian?s spot at Phoenix.

“The Phoenix are probably the strongest they’ve been since they came into the competition, so I?m hoping I can come in and strengthen the side further and play as many games as possible,” Vukovic said.

“Mark’s a national treasure now. It’ll be a tough challenge but I’m looking forward to it. We?ll push each other hard and whoever plays will deserve it.”