Wellington Phoenix have signed an experienced English defender who played four games for Manchester United during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Scott Wootton, 30, has signed a short-term contract with the Phoenix through to the end of the A-League Men season after being granted a release from League One club Morecambe, where he played 14 games last year.
The central defender will be available when the transfer window opens on January 14 and should provide some much-needed leadership at the back following the shock retirement of Steven Taylor in pre-season.
The Phoenix have the worst defensive record in the A-League Men this season. They have conceded an alarming 14 goals in six games and have suffered 4-0 defeats against both the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United.
“I’ll do everything I can to help the club win games,” Wootton said.
“From the research I’ve done and people I’ve spoken to, the club has got a lot of talent and obviously it’s in a difficult position at the minute and not where it wants to be.
“I hope my experience can help that, improve the team and improve the results on the pitch.
“I’m a good talker, I’m a good communicator and first and foremost that’s how I’ll try and put my stamp on the team.
“Hopefully I can bring that bit of calmness and that experience at the back to help the team.”
Wootton played four times for Manchester United in Ferguson’s final season in 2012 after rising through the club’s academy ranks, lining up alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
He made two appearances in the League Cup, against Newcastle United and Chelsea, and played two Champions League games against Romanian club Cluj before he was sold to Leeds United for a reported £1million.
After four years with Leeds in the Championship, teaming up with All Whites striker Chris Wood in the 2015-16 season, Wootton dropped to League One, where he played for Milton Keynes Dons, Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic and most recently Morecambe.
He has played more than 250 games in England’s second and third tier.
“I want to challenge myself. I want to test myself. I feel like I’ve achieved quite a bit in England … and I feel this is the perfect challenge for me.
“This time the timing is absolutely perfect. It’s the perfect step I feel in my career and I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Phoenix at this moment.”
