Hope Breslin (R) playing for Angel City FC in 2022. Photo: AFP
The Wellington Phoenix have made their first move in the women's international transfer market, securing a player with experience in one of the world's top leagues.
The club has signed American attacking midfielder Hope Breslin for the next women's A-League season.
24 year old Breslin was drafted by Angel City FC in the American National Women's Soccer League last year before moving to the Houston Dash.
The Phoenix have been able to make their first visa signing as Football Australia has relaxed the restrictions imposed on the women's team, removing the limit on New Zealand signings and the quota of Australian players.
"That's huge for us being able to operate as all of the other teams in the A-League do," Phoenix head coach Paul Temple said.
"We now can bring in visa players that aren't at the expense of our Kiwis and build a squad that's based on the ability of the players and the balance of the squad, as opposed to their nationality.
"Both Gemma (Lewis) and Nat (Lawrence) have had to work under quite restrictive regulations that's been really difficult.
"We can now have five visa spots and it doesn't come off our New Zealand quota like it did in the first couple of seasons."
As a result "more visa signings are on the way".
"In Hope's case we're bringing someone in who's played in the NWSL. That's the equivalent of the Premier League or La Liga in the men's game. It's one of the top two leagues in the world.
Breslin fits the bill as an attacking midfielder who can play centrally or as a winger.
"It's no secret we've been trying to recruit players at the top end of the pitch to make us more of a threat from an attacking point of view," said Temple.
"Hope's a very, very creative and technical player. She can beat people one-vs-one and plays a style of football that we want to play, but can also score goals and assist with goals.
Breslin has "heard a lot of good things about New Zealand" and the A-League from friends and players within the NWSL, including Football Ferns co-captain Ali Riley.
"Ali was my teammate at Angel City. She has only ever had great things to say about the culture of New Zealand and how beautiful it is.
"I'm really excited to get to New Zealand and let her know what I think of it as well."
Hope Breslin is the 12th player confirmed in the Wellington Phoenix women's squad for the 2023-24 Liberty A-League, joining fellow midfielders Chloe Knott, Grace Wisnewski and Alyssa Whinham, goalkeeper Brianna Edwards, defenders Michaela Foster, Kate Taylor, Mackenzie Barry, Marisa van der Meer and Rebecca Lake, and forwards Emma Main and Michaela Robertson.
The Phoenix women will start pre-season training early next month, with the A-League to kick-off on October 14.
-RNZ
