Star striker Kosta Barbarouses has extended his stay with Wellington Phoenix for at least another season, with an option for another after that.
Barbarouses, 34, has already won four A-League titles with Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, and admits helping the Phoenix to another is a big incentive to stay.
"Obviously, we had our best-ever year as a club and it’s probably no surprise, after the season we had, there was a fair bit of interest in me," he said. "I weighed up everything and decided Wellington is by far the best place for me to be.
"I've still got big aspirations to do something special here and to play at a good level, heading into the 2026 World Cup. That's a big goal for me.
"Wellington's home as well, so it was a very easy decision, and I’m very happy to extend and stay on."
Under rookie head coach Giancarlo Italiano, Barbarouses was the team's leading scorer, with 13 goals, during a campaign that realised a club-record 15 wins and a runner-up finish in the premiership, before an agonising extra-time semi-final elimination.
He now sits fourth among the competition's all-time leading scorers and became the eight to reach 300 goals during his career.
"I'm really proud of what we achieved as a club this year," he said. "We were millimetres, seconds, minutes away from a Grand Final and we want to keep building on that.
"I think it's important we've kept a big core of the squad together already, which is great stability-wise. I'm sure 'Chiefy' and the staff would have learnt from this year, and want to go above and beyond and better as well.
"It's a great place to be at the moment and there are so many positives to take out of this season going into next season."
Italiano insists Barbarouses' presence is not just felt on the pitch.
"On the park, his numbers do all the talking, but what he does off the pitch, when it comes to leadership and how he keeps a good vibe in the team, is also very, very important for us," he said.
"He brings a lot of cohesion in the changing room. A lot of the young boys lean on him for advice and he's a calming influence. Kosta also looks after himself quite well and shows the young boys what it's like to be a good professional."
The Phoenix now have 18 players contracted for next season, with negotiations ongoing, as they face domestic competition for talent from the expansion Auckland FC club.
