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Former Brighton and Hove Albion forward Tomer Hemed will lead the Phoenix attack this season.
Wellington Phoenix has been given a Premier League experience opportunity ahead of next A-League season.
The club have confirmed the signing of former Brighton and Hove Albion striker Tomer Hemed on a 12-month brand contract.
The 33-year-old brings a wealth of experience to Phoenix, having played 16 games in the Premier League, and is the high-level striker they have been looking for since England’s Gary Hooper left for India at the end of 2019. 20 campaign .
Phoenix’s interest in Hemed was first reported by Things in October.
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“I always give everything I have to help the team win the game,” Hemed said. “I know my job is to score goals and score as many as I can, but I also focus on making the key pass and making great tackles; whatever they need me to do to win. “
The Israeli international landed in Australia on Monday and will spend the next two weeks in controlled isolation before joining his new teammates at their temporary base in Wollongong.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Wellington Phoenix is looking to win over Wollongong fans ahead of the new A-League season.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay said he was delighted the deal went over the line and believed Hemed has the potential to light up the A-League.
“It is no secret that the club was looking to improve its front row with an experienced visa player, and Tomer provides what we, and certainly the fans, thought we needed to improve last season; someone who can turn our chances into goals and distribute them to others, ”said Talay.
“Once he is established in life in Australia, the A-League and the club’s style of play, the sky is the limit for Tomer and I think he will turn heads this season.
“The Phoenix and the A-League are lucky to have a player of Tomer’s caliber on the field.”
Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Tomer Hemed made 16 Premier League appearances while at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Hemed’s entire career has spanned Europe thus far, playing in his native Israel, Spain and most recently in England with Charlton Athletic.
His most successful spell came in 2017 when he scored 14 goals in 41 appearances to help Brighton and Hove Albion achieve promotion to the Premier League.
But after a goalless season with Charlton, Hemed wanted a new challenge and he will certainly achieve it with the Phoenix, who have moved to Wollongong for 2020-21.
“At the end of last season I sat down with my family and we talked about what the next step in my career would be; I played in La Liga, the Premier League, the championship and fulfilled many of my career goals, but we thought it was time to do something more exciting, something special, ”said Hemed.
“When the opportunity [with the Phoenix] It came about, we thought it was the best move for me as a player and also for my family. I’ve heard great things about the club and I know they had a special season last season.
“We are eager to begin this adventure and a new challenge.”
Hemed’s signing brings Phoenix’s total roster size to 21 and finalizes the club’s transfer agreements ahead of the 2020-21 season following the previously confirmed additions of All Whites Clayton Lewis, James McGarry and Matthew Ridenton and the Australians Joshua Law and Mirza Muratovic.
