22 Feb 2011

Durante gets second shot at Asian Champions League

7:10 am on 22 February 2011

The Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is flying to Sydney today to join Sydney FC for their Asian Champions football League campaign.

Pheonix fans can be assured that the popular defender will be back in a black and yellow shirt for the start of the next Hyundai A-League season.

Sydney FC approached Phoenix management yesterday with a view to them signing Durante, and after a hectic few hours finalising the deal, he will join up with his new team-mates today.

Durante says he only heard about the possibility of joining them at lunch time and the deal had to be done quickly if he was to be eligible.

Durante says it will be a fantastic experience and he missed out playing in the Champions League two years ago when Newcastle Jets qualified because he was joining the Phoenix.

Meanwhile in Oceania league action, Auckland City beat the New Caledonia football team 1-nil in Noumea yesterday.