Oli Sail lays down the law at Perth Glory. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
New Zealand international Oli Sail has joined Auckland FC as they boost their goalkeeping stocks.
The 29-year-old, who had nine seasons with the Wellington Phoenix before a two-year stint with Perth Glory, has been recruited as the Auckland club reorganises in the wake of Alex Paulsen's departure back to Bournemouth, the English club which had loaned him to Auckland for a season.
Sail will vie with All Whites international Michael Woud for the No 1 spot for the coming season.
Woud could only watch on last year as Paulsen dominated in the role during the club's breakout inaugural season, which took them to the playoffs before losing to Melbourne Victory in the semifinal.
Woud has kept a clean record in the club's current Australian Cup campaign, and will have the gloves for their quarterfinal against Sydney FC on Saturday. Sail will be with the team, but can't play as he has already played for the Glory in cup matches.
"As was the case last year, we wanted two exceptional goalkeepers to help us achieve our goals," Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica said in a club statement.
"Oli brings experience to the team as well as competition to the group. We saw last season his quality; he was great in both games against us last year, pulling off some exceptional saves. He will be an asset to the club."
Woud had worked hard and kept clean sheets in Australian Cup matches, Corica said.
"So it's a very competitive position.''
Sail is returning to his home town as he looks to make an impact with the club and revive his international career.
"The chance to play professional football in the city I grew up in was a huge draw," says Sail.
"I was there on the night the club lifted the Premier's Plate; that was some atmosphere and an incredible crowd. It would have been hard to imagine in Auckland not so long ago, so when the opportunity to be a part of the club was presented to me, there was only ever going to be one answer.
He will reunite with assistant coach Danny Hay and former All Whites goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould at Auckland FC.
"I know both Danny and Jonathan really well; they have both supported me a lot during my career, and I'm looking forward to the coaching and encouragement they can provide."
Sail played 43 games for the Glory in his two seasons there and has notched up 116 A-League games in his career, the majority with the Phoenix.
