Wellington exodus continues with Williams exit

The post-season exodus at Wellington Phoenix continues with the club confirming forward David Williams has moved on after the end of his contract.

Williams and the Phoenix had been in negotiations to extend the one-year contract the Australian had signed in July 2018.

However, the 31-year-old has since officially told the club he will not be returning.

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The two-cap Caltex Socceroo scored 11 goals in 27 appearances for Mark Rudan’s side during the 2018/19 campaign, his first stint back in the Hyundai A-League following three seasons in Hungary with Haladas.

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Williams’ departure is a significant blow for the Kiwi outfit, who alongside Johnny Warren Medal winner Roy Krishna have now lost 30 of the 46 goals which stoked the club’s sixth-place finish last season.

David Williams celebrates
Williams scored 11 goals in 27 appearances for Wellington

Reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Filip Kurto has joined 2019/20 newcomers Western United, while midfielder Max Burgess and six other players have also left.

It leaves new boss Ufuk Talay with a sizeable rebuilding job, with the Phoenix head coach hinting that he’ll regenerate his depleted squad with talented New Zealand youngsters.

Talay made All Whites shot stopper Stefan Marinovic and Young Socceroos defender Walter Scott his first signings last week, who arrived from Bristol City and Perth Glory respectively.

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