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AAP
AAP
Sport
Ed Jackson

Phoenix defender can't wait for NZ move

Scott Wootton can't wait to set foot in New Zealand after signing a long-term deal with the Phoenix. (AAP)

Having committed to Wellington Phoenix long term, all that is left for English defender Scott Wootton is to actually set foot in New Zealand.

The former Manchester United player has signed a three-year extension to his current deal with the A-League Men's club, which had initially been only until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old has made seven appearances for the Phoenix since his arrival in January but all of them have been in Australia due to COVID-19 trans-Tasman border restrictions.

Wootton will finally get to experience his new home later this season after league bosses announced on Thursday the Phoenix will be returning to New Zealand to play two home games, against Central Coast and Western Sydney on April 17 and 24.

"That would be amazing. That would be the dream really, to set up a nice house and bring the family over and just live a nice life and concentrate on football," he said.

"Obviously it's been tough for the club and a lot of the players and staff for the past couple of years having to constantly uproot and move to Australia, move back, have the hope of finally they might be able to settle at home and then they've got to come back and do it all over again.

"Sydney's obviously an amazing place where we've been based, but there's no place like home.

"I've never been. I've heard it's absolutely beautiful, a stunning place, and all the boys speak really, really highly of it.

"It's unknown to me. I'm really excited. I'm looking forward to going there."

Confirmation of a return to New Zealand for the Phoenix came a day after the country's government announced a removal of restrictions on outdoor gatherings.

The two home matches will be the Phoenix's first on New Zealand soil since May 30 last year and could also prove crucial in the club's tilt to make this season's finals.

The Phoenix are currently seventh on the ladder, just three points outside the top six with 11 games to play.

"Everyone's been really keen and desperate to get back and get back in Sky Stadium," Wootton said.

"The last time the team went back after a lot of the COVID stuff, it was nearly sold out - 25-30,000 fans.

"That's been a real driving force in the players' minds to get back there and then have a day like that again."

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