Wellington Phoenix Sign Nigerian Striker Ifeanyi Eze to Boost Attack

The Wellington Phoenix have announced the signing of Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze, who will replace veteran forward Kosta Barbarouses for the upcoming A-League season. Eze, 26, joins the Phoenix after a successful stint in the Iraq Stars League, where he netted 15 goals for Al-Karkh SC, which finished in 14th place.

Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano expressed enthusiasm for Eze’s arrival, noting his impressive skill set. “He has all of the attributes I was looking for in an attacker,” Italiano stated. “He can score goals, he’s very fast, he can dribble at pace and his intention is to always go forward. And the most important thing for me is he’s a really, really good person.”

Eze, a left-footed forward, is set to join the team once he secures his New Zealand work visa. He is eager to integrate with his new teammates and contribute to the Phoenix’s ambitions for the season. The striker will don the number seven jersey, previously worn by Barbarouses, who concluded his third tenure with the Phoenix at the end of last season to sign with rivals Western Sydney.

During his time with the Phoenix, Barbarouses scored a total of 23 goals over the last two seasons, bringing his A-League tally to 98 goals, making him one of the league’s top scorers in history. His departure leaves a significant gap in the Phoenix’s attacking lineup, which they aim to fill with Eze’s dynamic play.

As of now, the Wellington Phoenix have contracted 19 players for the 2025-26 men’s season and have utilized four of their five available visa spots. The team looks to strengthen their squad further as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the A-League.

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