Finally some good news out of the Wellington Phoenix.
Influential forward Nathan Burns is back at the struggling A-League club, signing a two-year contract.
Burns was a star in his previous stint with the Nix, named the 2014-15 Player of the Year and top-scoring with 13 goals. He guided Wellington to a fourth finals appearance and won the Johnny Warren medal for the league’s best player.
The 29-year-old’s returning to the capital after stints in the Japanese League with FC Tokyo and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where he struggled to make an impact.
He could feature as soon as their upcoming home games against the Melbourne Victory (10 January) and Western Sydney Wanderers (13 January).
General Manager David Dome is thrilled to see him back in the side.
"We're absolutely delighted to have Nathan back", said Dome in a statement.
"He's a player with a top, top pedigree, a tremendous work ethic and ambition to succeed and he's somebody that's synonymous with some of the best times we've seen at this club."
The 24-cap Socceroo said Wellington was his first choice, even after receiving plenty of interest in the January transfer window.
"I’ve had some very positive experiences overseas, in Japan but also playing with the [Australian] national team, but I’m ready to come back," said Burns.
“When I was in Wellington I was playing really well, it was probably the highlight of my career, I had good players around me, guys like Roy and Mikey who are still here, and as soon as I landed again I felt happy to be in the city. It feels like home.
Burns’ return adds some much needed creativity and goal-scoring prowess to the Phoenix line-up, especially after the departures of Gui Finkler and Dario Vidosic.
He’s set to re-establish his combination with Michael McGlinchey and Roy Krishna to form a more potent front third for the Nix.
The Phoenix are dead last on the A-League ladder, with just one win all season. They play the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford tomorrow night.
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