The Phoenix has secured 1.92m striker Oskar Zawada on a two-year deal. He is the team’s fifth visa player and sixth and final off-season signing.
The former Poland youth international joins fellow new recruits Kosta Barbarouses, Bozhidar Kraev and Yan Sasse in a revamped Nix attacking line-up for the A-League campaign.
Zawada (26) will wear the No9 shirt with popular English forward David Ball deciding to move into the 10jersey this season.
Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay said Zawada would bring balance to the forward line.
"He’s a taller player that will give us extra height and presence in the box," Talay said.
"He’s big and strong. He can bring players into the game, and he scores goals.
"We were always looking for a player with those physical attributes, with a bit more presence within the box as we like to attack with our fullbacks and deliver balls into the box.’’
Zawada has played professionally in Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea over the past decade and was in talks with both German and Dutch clubs before being swayed by the Phoenix.
"I had a good long conversation with Ufuk Talay," Zawada said.
"He made me feel important and if I feel important then I know I will play well and will have the confidence to score goals.
"After this conversation I got a good feeling that it makes sense for me to move to Wellington to develop under his coaching."
Zawada was a prolific goal-scorer for VfL Wolfsburg’s youth teams but believes he has yet to reach his potential at the senior level.
"As a striker I think your best age is between 26 and 32-33 because you mature and your body is stronger. Every year I feel stronger on the pitch, but also more confident and mature in my positioning and movement.
"I think the best years are in front of me. If I stay healthy, and I will do everything to stay healthy, I think I have a good future in front of me because I’m professional, I work hard and want to develop as a player."
After playing for five different clubs over the past two and a-half seasons, Zawada and his wife are looking forward to settling down in Wellington.
Zawada joined his new team-mates in Sydney last night to prepare for tonight’s Australia Cup quarterfinal against Macarthur FC.
