The Wellington Phoenix have confirmed the signing of former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor.
The 32-year-old is a veteran of the English Premier League, clocking up 194 appearances for the Tyneside team before joining the MLS' Portland Timbers, then, most recently, Peterborough United of the English Football League.
The 32-year-old said it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up after getting a taste of New Zealand as part of a touring Newcastle side.
"I was here in 2014 as part of the Football United Tour when we played in Dunedin and Wellington and loved the country then," said Taylor.
"I know that I am joining an exciting project under Mark [Rudan] as well as playing in one of the best leagues in the world in the A-League."
Taylor is the first signing under new head coach Mark Rudan, who calls it the ideal start to the recruitment drive.
"Steven is a significant signing for the football club in what we are trying to create," Rudan said.
"He brings a huge amount of experience and strong leadership.
"We expect Steven to be a success on and off the park."
Taylor will begin training this week with his debut likely to be against Bentleigh Greens in their first round FFA Cup match in Melbourne next month.
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