The A-League’s most capped player Matt Thompson is close to appearing in his ninth Hyundai A-League season after securing a trial with the Wellington Phoenix.
The A-League-s most capped player Matt Thompson is close to appearing in his ninth Hyundai A-League season after securing a trial with the Wellington Phoenix.
Thompson has travelled to Sydney where he will meet up with the Phoenix and likely feature in the New Zealand side-s two trial matches against the Western Sydney Wanderers and his first club the Newcastle Jets.
The 31-year-old midfielder was released by Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi at the end of the 2012-13 season alongside Simon Colosimo, Clint Bolton and Fred.
He has since been training at the Brisbane Roar for the past six weeks where he has managed to remain fit but not secure an A-League contract.
It was expected that he may have to look outside of the A-League to continue his football career before the opportunity with Merrick-s side surfaced.
Thompson began his A-League career for the Jets in the competition-s inaugural season and went on to make over 120 appearances over five seasons for the club. He was a part of the league championship winning side of 2007-08 and captained the side in the 2009-10 season.
He made the move to the Melbourne Heart at the start of the 2010-11 season and has now managed to tally 203 A-League appearances.
Thompson made his debut for the Socceroos in an Asian Cup qualifying match in 2009 and went on to make four appearances for his national side.
Thompson and the Wellington Phoenix take on the Western Sydney Wanderers at Lily Homes Stadium at Seven Hills on Wednesday August 21 with kickoff at 7:15pm. Tickets can be purchased here.