Arianna Caruso of Juventus and Tessel Middag of Fiorentina during the Women's Italian championship, 2021. Photo: LISA GUGLIELMI / AFP
The Wellington Phoenix women have signed Dutch midfielder Tessel Middag for the next A-League season.
The former Netherlands international joins Dominican Republic captain Lucía León and American defender Ellie Walker as the team's first three new additions for next season.
Middag, 32, has spent the past four seasons at Rangers FC in Scotland, where she won six trophies, after also lifting silverware in England and the Netherlands.
She has been capped 44 times by her country at senior level and played at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
Interim Phoenix head coach Amy Shepherd is thrilled to have signed a player of Middag's calibre.
"Tessel brings a wealth of experience to the club and played for some of the top clubs and leagues in the world - including Ajax, Manchester City, West Ham, Fiorentina and, most recently, Rangers FC," Shephard said.
"Her technical quality and leadership are qualities we're excited to add to the team.
"She will no doubt help unlock the potential of our top young talents and bring invaluable experience and a winning mentality to key moments, having already lifted silverware at the highest levels."
Middag hopes her wealth of experience can help the Phoenix and her new teammates.
"That was one of the things that excited me when I spoke to Amy," Middag said. "I would love to win something with this club and be part of the first Phoenix team to lift a trophy.
"At all of the clubs I've played for we've competed for trophies and I want to be able to do that in Wellington."
Middag's partner is a New Zealander.
She is the 12th player confirmed in the Wellington Phoenix women's squad for the 2025-26 A-League, with further signings and re-signings to follow in the coming weeks.
