Mohamed Al Taay of the Jets holds off Nicholas Pennington of the Phoenix during the A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix in 2022.
Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The Wellington Phoenix’s first off-season signing is a midfielder with the same qualities as a former Phoenix player.
Looking to bolster the midfield, new head coach Giancarlo Italiano has turned to Mohamed Al-Taay.
The 22-year-old has signed on for the next two A-League seasons, making the move to Wellington after two seasons with the Newcastle Jets.
Al-Taay is a defensive midfielder who reminds Italiano of former Phoenix player Australian Cam Devlin.
“A big strength of Mo’s is he wins a lot of ball in midfield,” Italiano said. “We need aggressive sixes that will win a lot of ball and that’s irrespective of what formation we’re playing.
“He’s also a great kid and he’s a top professional. He’s a hard trainer, he always listens and takes information on board, and he’s always looking to get better.”
It is not the first time Al-Taay has been compared to the now Socceroos midfielder Devlin.
“A couple of the Jets boys that were at Wellington made that comparison too,” Al-Taay said.
“I take it as a compliment as Cammy’s a very good player. I do think we have similar attributes in the way that we play.
“I bring a lot of energy in the middle of the park. I like to get the best out of my teammates. I’m a ball winner, cover a lot of space and do all the dirty work for my defenders behind me.”
Al-Taay grew up in Campbelltown in south-west Sydney and played his junior football at Blacktown City, when Italiano was the club’s head of football.
“When I got the call and found out Chiefy was the coach in Wellington I didn’t hesitate to make the move.
“I know him and he’s a very good person. He’s very ambitious and he’s got big plans.
“I’m at the point in my career where I’m hungry for more. I’ve built a good foundation at Newcastle and I’m ready for that next step at Wellington.”
Al-Taay will wear the no. 15 shirt for the Wellington Phoenix.
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