11 May 2023

Wellington Phoenix lock in new midfielder

1:39 pm on 11 May 2023
Mohamed Al Taay of the Jets holds off Nicholas Pennington of the Phoenix during the A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix in 2022.

Mohamed Al Taay of the Jets holds off Nicholas Pennington of the Phoenix during the A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix in 2022. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

The Wellington Phoenix's first off-season signing is a midfielder with the same qualities as a former Phoenix player.

Looking to bolster the midfield, new head coach Giancarlo Italiano has turned to Mohamed Al-Taay.

The 22-year-old has signed on for the next two A-League seasons, making the move to Wellington after two seasons with the Newcastle Jets.

Al-Taay is a defensive midfielder who reminds Italiano of former Phoenix player Australian Cam Devlin.

"A big strength of Mo's is he wins a lot of ball in midfield," Italiano said. "We need aggressive sixes that will win a lot of ball and that's irrespective of what formation we're playing.

"He's also a great kid and he's a top professional. He's a hard trainer, he always listens and takes information on board, and he's always looking to get better."

It is not the first time Al-Taay has been compared to the now Socceroos midfielder Devlin.

"A couple of the Jets boys that were at Wellington made that comparison too," Al-Taay said.

"I take it as a compliment as Cammy's a very good player. I do think we have similar attributes in the way that we play.

"I bring a lot of energy in the middle of the park. I like to get the best out of my teammates. I'm a ball winner, cover a lot of space and do all the dirty work for my defenders behind me."

Al-Taay grew up in Campbelltown in south-west Sydney and played his junior football at Blacktown City, when Italiano was the club's head of football.

"When I got the call and found out Chiefy was the coach in Wellington I didn't hesitate to make the move.

"I know him and he's a very good person. He's very ambitious and he's got big plans.

"I'm at the point in my career where I'm hungry for more. I've built a good foundation at Newcastle and I'm ready for that next step at Wellington."

Al-Taay will wear the no. 15 shirt for the Wellington Phoenix.